THEGAYUK

Tag: Gay Marriage

All the latest breaking news on gay and same-sex marriage. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features, articles and updates on gay and same-sex marriage.

  • No Voters Offer CONGRATULATIONS in wake of Irish Gay Marriage Victory.

    Anti-Gay marriage groups offer ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ to campaign in wake of Irish Marriage Equality Victory.

    Whilst the outcome of yesterday’s historic vote in Ireland was widely predicted, the big surprise of the day was the unprecedented and gracious behaviour of the two main organisations behind the No campaign. When they conceded defeat they both issued statements congratulating the equality side’s victory.

    Catholic-based anti-gay marriage activist group Iona Institute, which had aired a series of misleading fear ads ahead of the referendum vote, sent out the following press release:

    ‘We would like to congratulate the Yes side on winning such a handsome victory in the marriage referendum. They fought a very professional campaign that in truth began long before the official campaign started. For our part, The Iona Institute is proud to have helped represent the many hundreds of thousands of Irish people who would otherwise have had no voice in this referendum because all of the political parties backed a Yes vote.’

    Mothers & Fathers Matter, the organisation behind last week’s video featuring two gay men explaining their opposition to same-sex marriage, said:

    “We offer our warm congratulations to the YES campaign on their victory. There are thousands of people who worked hard for them to achieve this result, and they can be justifiably happy with their efforts today. Though at times this campaign was unpleasant for people on all sides, nobody who involves themselves in a campaign does so with anything but the good of their country at heart. There is no better way to resolve difference than the way we are using today. From our point of view, we have represented a proportion of the population greater than those who support any political party. One in three Irish people in this campaign was not represented by the political establishment, the media, or the institutions of the state. We are proud to have fought on behalf of those voices when nobody else would. Today’s result was achieved by the Government after they issued certain promises about surrogacy, adoption, and a range of other issues. A lot of voters believed those assurances and they must now be kept.”

  • Results Of Irish Gay Marriage Vote Expected Early PM

    After an “abnormally” high turn out, the votes are being counted for the historic same-sex marriage referendum vote in Ireland.

    Hundreds of thousands of votes have been cast and with no exit poll it’s difficult to guess what the outcome will be, but pundits are quietly confident that the result is likely to be a Yes, meaning that same-sex couples will be afforded the rights to marry in Ireland.

    The same-sex marriage referendum has become worldwide news as countries around the world wait to see the outcome of what will be the first ever-public vote on gay rights. This will be the first time where the rights of a minority group, such as LGBTs has been voted by the public at large.

    Pundits have also commented about the sway of votes suggesting that cities are swaying towards a yes, whilst more rural towns and countryside villages are swaying towards a No.

    However, one town, Trim in co Meath, which has just over 6000 inhabitants said that it would vote Yes.

    The results are expected to be announced at 4PM.

  • Ireland Makes History Will Pro Gay Marriage Yes Vote

    After a high turn out, the votes have been counted for the historic same-sex marriage referendum vote in Ireland and Ireland has overwhelmingly voted yes to allowing gay couples the right to marry.

    Gay and lesbian couples will now be able to get married in Ireland thanks to the historic referendum vote that took place on Friday 22nd May. More than 62% of those voted, voted in favour. The referendum enjoyed a 60% turn out.

    With no exit poll it proved difficult to guess what the outcome would be, but pundits were quietly confident that the result would be Yes, meaning that same-sex couples will be afforded the rights to marry in Ireland.

    The referendum on whether same-sex couple could marry was held 22 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland.

    In total, 1,201,607 people voted in favour of same-sex marriage, while 734,300 voted against.

    The same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland has become worldwide news as countries around the world wait to see the outcome of what will be the first ever-public vote on gay rights.

    Ireland had a referendum on the subject of gay marriage because of its written constitution, which can only be changed by a public vote. Same-sex marriage will now be protected by the constitution.

  • COMMENT | The Natural Order, Marriage Referendum

    Friday 22nd May sees an important and somewhat historic day for Ireland, as a marriage referendum will be cast to see if same-sex marriage will be legalised.

    If the yes vote wins out, Ireland will be the first country in the world to pass a marriage equality bill by national vote. This is an exciting time, not only for the Irish nation but also for LGBT rights in general.

    Throughout my social media feeds there are pleas for both sides of the argument, which as I read from comment to comment make me happy and frustrated in equal measure. As I scroll through them I can’t help but be reminded of two years ago, when the bill was being rolled through our parliament here in Britain.

     

    Back then in February 2013, I posted an online survey asking the social media flock for their anonymous opinions on the matter at hand. The artist in me decided to delve into it head first to find out whether the people of Great Britain had great pride or great prejudice. I created a photographic series entitled The Natural Order with some of my results. Somewhat unfortunately this piece is still relevant today so in lieu of Friday’s vote I decided to dig into my archives and promote it again.

    I posted one simple thing:

    “Please can you tell me what your honest opinions are about same-sex marriage. Be as negative or as positive as you like, just be honest.”

     

    And honest they were…

    Homosexuals are obviously mentally twisted since they resist what nature has already determined. Their deviant sexual behaviors are proven to be disease ridden and from personal experience I can say that they have been an unusual high percentage of child predators. Gay marriage normalizes their gross ways and will endanger our children.”

    “It’s a sickness on our society in every sense of the word. Homosexuality, to me, is just as bad as incest. Two people of the same family having sex, let alone getting married, is instinctively frowned upon. So why in black thunder does anyone think it should be perfectly acceptable for two members of the same gender to have sex, let alone get married?”

    “They must be deranged in the mind to fight against the natural order of God’s creation. All they see is happy pink not their disgusting truth.”

    I had prepared myself for the odd negative comment, but still found myself completely taken aback by the outrageous opinions festering in these strangers’ minds. Some of the negativity made me want to laugh, some made me angry and some produced a bizarre mixture of both. Being compared to a “child predator“ was one comment in particular that made me laugh at first and then turn red in the face with frustration. The comment about incest is too ridiculous to even comment on.

    A lot of the anonymous writers questioned the mental state of a homosexual person – suggesting we are “deranged in the mind.” These comments empower the belief that a heterosexual couple should be celebrated because they’re committed to one another yet a homosexual couple should be committed for wanting the same celebration.

    “It’s a direct mockery of the natural order of things (i.e God’s creation). While I’ve heard some people argue that it happens in the animal kingdom, I have to remind you that we, as humans, are not dumb animals! God did not intend for members of the same sex to marry each other, otherwise he would’ve created two men and two women, and told them their options…”

    “It’s disgusting and unnatural”

    “Marriage is religious construct, you cannot ask for something that the religion does not believe in.”

    The reasoning behind the majority of this adverse attitude was unsurprisingly linked to religion; something that I’m certain will be the root of the no votes in Ireland on Friday. I received a constant reference to “God’s natural order,” throughout the replies. As an atheist who is standing up for same-sex rights, my view of God’s natural order is obviously biased but the consistent referral to His creation made me just as angry as being called a peadophile.

    I’m not here to list my anti-religious views or argue whether God exists but I cannot justify intelligent human minds in today’s society using God as an excuse. If there is a God, then he created me, and he created me as a homosexual. It is irritating that some people still see homosexuality as a choice, when it is not. It is natural and because that fact is somehow lost in translation between homosexuals and heterosexuals, the anti-crowd turns straight to God as an alibi for their ignorance. Quite a large chunk of my conceptual photographs were created with a religious thought in mind.

    “How is it acceptable for a heterosexual person to marry several times but not for a gay person to marry once?”

    “Currently, 50% of heterosexual marriages end in divorce & those are people who have never had to fight for the marital right. But, like the now infamous image states “Marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual privilege.”

    I am pleased to say that a lot of the survey feedback was positive. The above two answers suggest interesting points about the state of heterosexual marriage – competing with another survey reply,

    “Homosexuals will make marriage a joke.” I am uncertain whether the quoted statistic above of 50% is a fact but it still leads to the same conclusion that many people remarry and remarry and have the right to do so yet a same sex couple cannot have the same privilege even once.

    “Homosexuals will make marriage a joke.” I am uncertain whether the quoted statistic above of 50% is a fact but it still leads to the same conclusion that many people remarry and remarry and have the right to do so yet a same sex couple cannot have the same privilege even once.

    “Unnatural and Immoral. You have to ask yourself what would Jesus do? And know that his answer would be opposed to the ludicrousness.”

    The results I gathered made for interesting reading no matter how absurd or low the answerer sunk. They became the backbone to my personal conceptual art project The Natural Order. For the negative results, I wanted to turn the answers into a “ludicrous” version of themselves through portraiture and tableaus. Whereas the positive results simply inspired me to push further towards equality awareness.

    I was disgusted that the opinions collated through modern social networking sites contradicted the modern means with the old fashioned views. Yet as the same-sex marriage bill still steadily rolls its way through the world, soon the opinions of the anti-party will be voided out by the equal rights decision to allow anyone to get married, no matter their gender. It is only natural after all.

    The series was part of a group exhibition at UCA Rochester Campus in June 2013 and can be seen now online here www.markgoggin.tumblr.com.

    “Love is love, we are born the way we’re born, and it’s literally stupid to think homosexuals shouldn’t be allowed to marry in the same way heterosexuals are. Why is it STILL even up for discussion? Equality for all, one earth.”

     

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Entire Irish Village Of Trim Plans To Vote Yes On Gay Marriage Equality

    We have been following the YES EQUALITY campaign in Ireland with great interest as it has worked so hard and steadfast towards the referendum on same-sex marriage this coming Friday.

    Voters will be asked to vote Yes/No on whether to add the following to the Irish Constitution: ‘Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.’

    A “Yes” vote will effectively ratify the Marriage Equality Bill 2015, which was passed by Ireland’s parliament, the Dail, by overwhelming majorities in March.

    This is an enormous historic step as if it passes as expected then Ireland will become the first country in the world to get marriage equality by a popular national vote.

    Our hats are off to the faultless and compassionate campaign that has been run so professionally and that has gathered together so many sections of Irish society, from children to mothers, from industry to church to show such universal support. The final video we are showing today is from the people of Trim, a small town of County Meath where it seems like the entire population of 8268 people are going to vote YES.

    THEGAYUK applauds the people of Ireland for the bravery and their tenacity for doing the right thing to give our community real equality.

  • UK COURT: Unlawful Discriminaton For Christian Bakery Who Refused Gay Cake

    BREAKING: A UK Court has found that a bakery in Belfast, owned by Christians acted unlawfully when it refused to fulfil an order which had an inscription in support of same-sex marriage.

    Ashers Bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland refused an order by Gareth Lee in July 2014. The cake in question had a message that supported same-sex marriage.

    The bakery owners refused the order based on their Christian beliefs Gareth Lee a gay rights activist took the civil case against the bakery with the support of the Equality Commission.

    A judge has ruled that the bakery’s refused to make the cake was unlawful. The judge commented:

    “Whilst defendants have right to religious beliefs they are limited as to how they manifest them.”

    https://twitter.com/DeborahMcAleese/status/600598827700224000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

    Speaking outside the Belfast court just before the ruling, Ashers general manager Daniel McArthur said:

    “We happily serve everyone but we cannot promote a cause that goes against what the Bible says about marriage.

    “We have tried to be guided in our actions by our Christian beliefs.”

    Mr Lee told the court that the decision to refuse his order him feel “unworthy” and ” a lesser person”.

    A Belfast judge said Ashers were not exempt from discrimination law adding that the bakery were “conducting a business for profit”, they are not a religious group.”

    They were found to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation.

    https://twitter.com/DeborahMcAleese/status/600594149063204866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

  • 70 Per Cent Of Americans Live With Gay Marriage. Here Is How It Happened

    Today 70% of Americans live in a state with legal same-sex marriage. 11 years ago it was zero.

    Next month after the United States Supreme Court rules it could be 100%. Watch this fascinating and heartwarming brief video from Vox on history in the making.

     

    @RogerWalkerDack

  • ITALY: Two Men Get Engaged Live On Prime Time “Got Talent” Show

    Live on ‘Italia’s Got Talent’ TV show the members of Les Farfadais, a troupe of acrobatic dancers, had just performed a routine when one of the dancers then got down on one knee and proposed to his boyfriend said after he said “yes” the couple kissed on stage.

    The stunned judges and the studio audience went wild and cheered for the couple in what the show’s producers claim was totally unrehearsed and unexpected.

    Italy, of course, does not have marriage equality but has been making modest moves toward it in recent months.

    In February, Italy’s highest appeals court ruled that same-sex marriage is not a constitutional right but that gay couples are entitled to certain rights and protections.

    Rome’s Mayor married 16 gay couples last October in defiance of Italy’s laws. Rome has also created a register of civil unions for same-sex couples and Bologna came out in favour of recognising same-sex unions in September.

    P.S. The newly affianced men had incidentally been performing to ‘the power of love’.

  • Luxembourg: Only Gay Prime Minister In The World To Marry?

    Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is to wed his partner Gauthier Destenay next week, according to Yahoo News, just a few months after the tiny duchy legalised same-sex marriage.

    Bettel, who became prime minister in 2013 at the age of just 40, has said little about his plans in a bid to minimise press coverage in the tiny, conservative and mostly Roman Catholic duchy.

    “He does not want to put his private life in the public spotlight and he has turned down requests from the celebrity magazines to cover the event,” one of the sources said.

    In August, Bettel said he would marry Destenay, an architect, with whom he has been in a civil union since 2010.

    “He asked me and I said ‘yes,’” he told the Los Angeles Times.

    Mr Bettel is currently the only out gay Prime Minister in the world, although previously there were Belgium’s Elio Di Rupo and Iceland’s Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir .

  • Gay Marriage: Our Tomorrow

    More than 100 LGBTQ organisations have launched a social media campaign called “Our Tomorrow” in advance of the Supreme Court ruling on marriage in June.

     

    The campaign encourages LGBTQ individuals and allies to “share their hopes, fears and ideas in their own words.”

    Masen Davis, Our Tomorrow’s outreach director announced:

    “Our Tomorrow is dedicated to engaging the full diversity of the LGBTQ community — from all parts of the country and all walks of life — in helping to shape our future.”

    Yesterday the group released a launch video containing seven inspirational stories.

  • Is Social Media Wrecking Your Relationship?

    Just under half of all Brits admit they have secretly checked their partner’s Facebook account and one in five went on to row about what they discovered, new research has revealed.

    One in seven said they had contemplated divorce because of their other halves activities on Facebook, Skype, Snapchat, Twitter or What’sApp.

    Nearly a quarter or the 2,000 married Brits asked, said they had at least one argument a week with their partner because of social media use and 17 per cent said they rowed every day because of it.

    The most common reasons for checking their partner’s social media accounts was to find out who their partner was talking to, to keep tabs on them, to check who they were out with and find out if they were telling the truth about their social life.

    While 14 per cent said they looked specifically to identify evidence of infidelity.

    The research was commissioned by family law specialists Slater and Gordon who have seen an increase in the number of people citing social media use as a cause of divorce year on year.

    Andrew Newbury, head of family law at Slater and Gordon said:

    “Social media can be a wonderful way of keeping in touch with family and friends, but it can also put added strain on a relationship.

    “Five years ago Facebook was rarely mentioned in the context of a marriage ending, but now it has become common place for clients to cite social media use, or something they discovered on social media, as a reason for divorce.

    “With more than 556 million people using Facebook each day, the way we live our lives, and our marriages, has drastically changed. We are finding that social media is the new marriage minefield.

    “Social media, specifically pictures and posts on Facebook, are now being routinely raised in the course of divorce proceedings.”

    It wasn’t just what their partner was doing on social media but also how long they spent on it that was likely to cause marital problems with Facebook usage topping the list of reasons couples argued over social media.

    Arguments were also caused because of contact with an ex-partner, sending secret messages and posting inappropriate photos.

    One in twenty even complained that their partner didn’t post any pictures of them together which made them upset.

    Fifteen per cent of Brits considered social media to be dangerous to their marriage, with Facebook considered the most dangerous, followed by WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram.

    But one in ten admitted they hid images and posts from their partner, while eight per cent admitted to having secret social media accounts.

    A fifth of respondents said they felt uneasy about their relationship after discovering something on their partner’s Facebook. 43 per cent said they confronted their spouse immediately about this, but 40 per cent said it took them some time before they felt comfortable to raise it with their partner.

    While a third said they kept their social media log-in details a secret from their partners, 58 per cent said they knew their partner’s log-in details, even if their spouse wasn’t aware they knew them.

    Andrew Newbury, head of family law at Slater and Gordon said:

    “Social media can also make a divorce more difficult. Divorce is already a stressful time for everyone involved and what is being posted on Facebook can antagonise families and make a speedy resolution more difficult to achieve.

    “We are now actively advising our clients to be cautious when it comes to using Facebook and all forms of social media because of its potential to damage relationships.”

     

    Have you ever checked on your partner’s social media or other profiles?

    Yes
    No

    Poll Maker


    TOP FIVE TIPS FOR COUPLES USING SOCIAL MEDIA

     

    1. Don’t post in anger. Your post will be seen by all your friends, family and potentially millions of others. Even if you later delete your post, the damage will have been done.

    2. Be respectful. Don’t complain about your partner or other family members online.

    3. Be transparent. Check with your partner before you post images or information.

    4. Check your privacy settings. You might think someone can’t see a post when they actually can.

    5. Take a break and enjoy the moment. You don’t need to post everything on Facebook