Shout out loud: Zappone and Gilligan publish their memoirs
Oct 8th, 2008 | By click here | Category: Books
Last night, Dr Ann Louise Gillgan and Dr Katherine Zappone launched their newly published joint memoir, Our Lives Out Loud: In Pursuit of Justice & Equality. They were assisted in this by no less a woman than Edna O’Brien – who was fabulous, by the way – and their publisher, Michael O’Brien (no relation to Edna), who told the gathering that a joint memoir might just be a first. The women were also supported by family and friends, many of whom had travelled great distances to be present.
For those who may not be familiar, Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan have taken Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners and others to the courts seeking to have their Canadian marriage recognised in this jurisdiction. Judge Elizabeth Dunne of the High Court rejected their claim, and the case is now the subject of an appeal to the Supreme Court. As yet there has been no indication of when the case will be heard. [You can read the High Court's decision here: 
Katherine and Ann Louise then spoke of how they came to write the book, and how their reflection on their lives, family and loves seemed to unite apparently seperate strands and events of their lives, and revealed to them how interconnected everyone’s experiences really are. In fact, they recommended that everyone write their own memoirs – perhaps it’s a meditative and therapeutic exercise; cathartic, even!
Katherine’s parents were also present, having travelled all the way from Seattle, and they each spoke of the joy that Zappigan’s relationship has generated – although, of course, neither of them used the word “Zappigan”: on the contrary, they simply referred to “our daughters”. They also described the importance of having supportive family members – parents, siblings, etc. – and the role they play in the natural evolution of social justice.
It was evident that the crowd was moved by everything they heard last night. My girlfriend’s mother was at one point welling up, at the sheer honesty and bravery of the accounts, in particular I think by Mr and Mrs Zappone’s words as parents of a gay child.
But now, I must leave you with this image: me, a new book, a day off work, a couch and a hangover. Buy yourself a copy and do likewise. Bliss..
- marriagEquality.ie
- Parents’ Support (01) 872 1055
- Our Lives Out Loud at Amazon.co.uk
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It was such a fab evening – Edna O’Brien rocks!
Hey Stretch, thanks for the comment!
Yeah, the evening was lovely – it was such a positive atmosphere. They should have more evenings like that, book launch or no book launch!
I’m reading the book at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it! They write as well as they speak, and it’s fascinating picturing the world in which they met – so much has changed, yet so much is the same, especially with regard to the Catholic Church.
So far, I’d say its well worth a read!
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