Marriage Equality has been a stellar force in the campaign for full marriage equality in this country. And now as much as our community needs the campaign, they too need our help.

Marriage Equality is facing a funding crisis. For the last four years, the organisation has had the generous financial support of The Atlantic Philanthropies. Unfortunately, at the end of 2011, Atlantic Philanthropies are exiting the LGBT sector and therefore funding for the campaign will come to an end.

Ireland has come such a long way in the 4 years we’ve been campaigning for equality.
s been a huge part of that.

As Marriage Equality themselves state:

Public support for marriage equality grew from 56% in 2008, to 73% in early 2011. We’ve seen the introduction of Civil Partnership for same sex couples as a first step towards equality. We now have a promise from the Government to look at the provision of same sex marriage in the Constitutional Convention to be set up later this year. The LGBT community and our friends and allies are mobilised on this issues and our politicians know that this is something we will continue to fight for until we achieve it.

In an email sent out to supporters last week, they go on to thank all their supporters, saying that

None of this would have been possible without the support of people like you. You’ve emailed, called and visited your TDs, marched with us in Pride parades up and down the country, and spread the word about why marriage matters to same sex couples, our families and our children by telling your stories in the local, regional and national media. You are amazing.

I’m sure most of you agree with Marriage Equality when they say that Civil Partnership is not equality, but it’s a step in the right direction. And they are right, the LGBT community must keep the pressure on to make sure the job is finished.

But they can’t do that if the organisation is forced to finish at the end of this year.

Marriage Equality has sent out a call for donations, and it would be amazing if everyone gave even a little bit.

Any donation, no matter how large or how small, will help us keep our doors open, will help us win the right for loving couples in committed relationships to marry. Your generosity will help us win the right for children of same sex couples to be protected and cared for. We can pull through this funding crisis with your help.

To find out more about the Just Love? Urgent Funding Appeal, and to make a donation, please visit www.marriagequality.ie