2011 has been celebrated as a great year for the LGBT community. Of course, as long as severe inequality persists, it’s difficult to wholeheartedly agree that it was a great year. All the same, 2011 has certainly upheld that crucial message; that it gets better. So, grab a cup o’ kindness and we’ll run through some of the achievements of the LGBT movement in 2011.

Here are some of the most popular non-Gaelick links from our Facebook page this year. Lovely!

This is one busy weekend around the country, including the Gay Prom, festive highlights, the return of Bitches Be Crazy, regular youth group meetings, and the start of 16 Days. Clear the diaries, folks!

Seminar presented by Dr Fergus Ryan, Lecturer in Law, DIT. Whether you are contemplating civil partnership, have already tied the knot or are a co-habiting couple, you will learn about your rights and responsibilities, the financial cost and legal implications of the Civil Partnership and Co-Habitation Act.

This morning the Green Party tweeted that Ireland’s outgoing President, Mary McAleese, “commended” civil partnership. It’s disappointing that her views in support of equality for LGBT people would be so blatantly misrepresented.

Last week, Marriage Equality launched its “Just Love?” campaign and the “Missing Pieces” report, an audit of civil partnership as compared with marriage. The report reveals 169 differences between the two. In the final in our series of articles, we look at parents and children, and other miscellaneous issues

On Tuesday, Marriage Equality launched its “Just Love?” campaign and the “Missing Pieces” report, an audit of civil partnership as compared with marriage. The report reveals 169 differences between the two. In the second of our series of articles, we look at two further areas examined: immigration and legal procedures

On Tuesday, Marriage Equality launched its “Just Love?” campaign and the “Missing Pieces” report, an audit of civil partnership as compared with marriage. The report reveals 169 differences between the two. Here, we look at the first two areas examined: the family home and finance.

Today Marriage Equality launches its “Just Love?” campaign. To coincide with the launch, a ground-breaking report – “Missing Pieces” – reveals 169 legal differences between civil marriage and civil partnership, and a poster campaign is rolled out across Dublin

The Very Reverend Tom Gordon announced last month that he and his partner of 20 years are Civil Partners. Initially this was met with encouraging acceptance, however, now it seems some high ranking Anglicans are not so impressed.

First of all let me apologise for any gushing which may come through this post. Today is the day I get married. I don’t care who you are, where you are or what your politics are, the concept that one person with most of their marbles wants to spend the rest of their life with you, is just incredible.

Thousands of people marched to the Department of Justice in Dublin yesterday, to protest the discrimination against lesbians, bisexual, gay and trans people in Ireland. Organised by LGBT Noise, the protest specifically asked for civil marriage equality.

Civil Partnership is NOT equality, so to show your derision at being a second-class citizen, march with LGBT Noise.

I have great reservations about the phrase “gay marriage”. I didn’t get gay married. The forms didn’t have Gay Marriage Certificate Application on them. The judge didn’t sign a Lesbian Wait Period Waiver us. I think when you say “gay marriage” it says that being gay and married is different from being straight and married. I don’t buy that.

Now, I’d be the first person to give out about homophobia in the civil service, so it’s only fitting that I applaud them when they are the complete opposite.

A huge and hearty Gaelick congratulations to Barry Dignam and Hugh Walsh who got hitched recently, 17 years after they started dating. Yes kids, that’s before some of you made your communion. Isn’t it just ridiculous that homosexuality was a crime when they met?

Things are flying along mightily with the wedding plans. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes, people rock. The checklist is looking pretty good and we’re doing well. Sure you’d think we were experts. Em….maybe not.