In recent times, a lot of noise being around  the issue same-sex couples has concerned the difference and division between gay marriage and civil unions, and which, in theory and in practice, are the gay community’s best options.  There are those who say that civil unions are no different to gay marriage, but in both ideological, legal, constitutional and practical issues, this isn’t in any way true.

The substantial differences between civil unions and civil marriage evolve from the fact that the former is dealt with legislatively, with our rights being laws we are deemed equal enough to receive, while the latter is a constitutionally protected entity with enshrined rights and responsibilities. Civil unions will never be equal to civil marriage, not in the eyes of the law. Our relationships will still be second class.

On a more specific problem, the right to be eligible to adopt as a couple will not be dealt with within the Civil Union bill currently being drafted by the Irish govt. Our families will not be protected, and our children will be marginalised even further.

Immigration(as in, the right for a non Irish/EU partner to live as your partner in Ireland) rights are likely not to be included in this bill also.

On a more idealistic note, heterosexual couples will continue to be “more equal” than gay couples  if we settle for civil unions. I do not believe in incremental justice or equality. Our relationships are either considered valid or they are not. To create a further tier of inequality seems retrograde at best, downright disgraceful at worst.

Civil unions are not equality. I do believe that perhaps there is an argument that civil unions should exist for all couples, regardless of sexuality, who do not wish to enter the institution of marriage, but that should be outside of the availability of marriage to same-sex couples.

Do not accept 2nd class equality, fight for the right to marry now.

UPDATE: Govt publishes Civil Partnership Bill: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/General_Scheme_of_Civil_Partnership_Bill

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