Recent years have seen gay rights activism in Ireland gathering momentum. A new wave of talented, passionate and ardent advocates has pushed parity of rights for gay and lesbian couples and their families to the fore of the equality agenda though direct action, lobbying, legal challenges and grassroots mobilisation. One such advocate, Lisa Connell, has now thrown her hat into the ring for a local council seat representing Dublin Southwest Inner-city (Dublin 8). The 26-year old independent candidate originally hails from Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Two years ago, Lisa co-founded protest organisation, LGBT Noise. Noise’s mission statement is to “secure the provision of full civil marriage equality for all in the Republic of Ireland, without regard to gender or sexual orientation” and at a time when the current Government is primed to introduce a form of civil partnership for same-sex couples which falls far short of equality, it seems a natural step to take the fight for equality inside the political system. Lisa took time out from her busy campaigning schedule to answer a few questions for us…

Gaelick: What prompted you to run for a seat on Dublin City Council?
Lisa Connell: I decided to run for a few reasons: Firstly, I seemed to be having more and more conversations with people about the fact that despite lots of effort from activists and groups protesting and lobbying, LGBT issues are being largely ignored by our government! This is simply not good enough!

Also, I felt that the visibility of an out and proud gay person (a woman no less—politics is still largely a male-dominated sphere) running for election sends a strong message to young LGBT kids about the importance of coming out and not being ashamed of ourselves because of our sexuality! And it sends a message to our wider community about the fact that the LGBT community still face incredible injustices in the eyes of the law.

Gaelick: What would you say to those who assert that marriage equality is not a local issue and therefore not relevant to local election candidates?
LC: Well, I would say that if equality is not relevant then what kind of society are we living in? Also, I think all politics is local and the personal is political! If we live in a society that denies a certain portion of our community basic civil rights and respect within that community, then it certainly needs to be addressed at every level of government.

Gaelick: And following on from the last question, what role do you think local councillors would have in the marriage for same-sex couples debate?
LC: Local councillors can play an important role in that they are in direct contact with the people in their constituency and will know what issues are important to the people they represent. Councillors communicate what is happening at this level to the TDs and then our Government gets a sense of what really matters to people.

Gaelick: Why did you decide to run as a non-party candidate and not with a political party?
LC: I am running as an independent candidate because I believe that it’s important to have people in politics who are not aligned with a party and therefore not subject to censorship or following a particular party line. As an independent, I can be true to my own beliefs and also not have to compromise on any issues that affect the people in my area.

Gaelick: Do you think the introduction of civil partnership—as currently proposed by the current Government—would represent a step forward or backward for achieving equality for gay people in Ireland?
LC: I absolutely believe civil partnership would represent a huge step backwards in our fight for equality. Civil partnership is a second-class, seperate, and discriminatory idea and would further segregate us as a community from the rest of society. I don’t want crumbs from the master’s table, I want full equality! By giving gay and lesbians equality in the form of civil marriage is as much about respect and social status as it is about our basic civil rights. What message do young LGBT kids get from our Government’s denial of these rights; that they are not as equal and not as respected or protected as their straight peers? And that is wrong!

Gaelick: What steps would you take to inform, educate or influence your fellow councillors’ views on marriage?
LC: It’s all about talking to people and letting them know how deep the inequality runs, lots of people are unclear about civil partnership versus marriage, and the implications of this. I am always very clear about the distinction between civil and church marriage. Also, I just try to highlight that it’s about the choice, and how unfair it is that gay and lesbian people do not have that choice.

Gaelick: How have the residents of Dublin South-West Inner City responded to you so far on the campaign trail?
LC: You know, it has been so positive and affirming! People really do believe in equality! I have met a diversity of people and there is such support out there! I just wish our Government would hurry themselves into the 21st century!!!

Gaelick: With little over a week left until polling day on June 5th, what would you advise gay voters to ask of their local, European and bye-election candidates?
LC: I think it’s so important to talk to their election candidates about what issues are important to them. Also ask them to commit to advancing LGBT rights if elected! You can ask your European candidates to sign the ILGA pledge at www.ilga-europe.org.

For more information on Lisa Connell’s candidacy for Dublin Southwest Inner-City, you can visit her blog or Facebook page.