At twenty years of age, marriage isn’t a huge concern for me right now. My lack of caring is only augmented by the fact that I am agnostic and bisexual – both of which make not thinking about the inevitability in Ireland of a church wedding (should I marry a man) is a preferable state of being.

Even though we tell ourselves that the world is making progress sometimes LGBT rights can seem like one step forward, one step sideways and the occasionally leap backwards. I feel this particularly about the legal situation of LGBT people in Poland. One of my favourite ‘I bet you’d never guess’ facts that I like to use from time to time is that Poland has never in its history criminalised homosexuality.

This morning, on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore stated that “the issue of gay marriage is a human rights issue”, that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and that he would like to see a referendum on same-sex marriage “as soon as possible”. Is that a good thing? Is it even needed?

I am about to go on a rant. Feel free to head off to the Alainn or Appalling section and enjoy your Monday. I am angry. Ok, so I didn’t vote for him, but who the hell does Enda Kenny think he is?

Hot on the heels of Minister Shatter’s statement on Thursday, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made a historic statement this afternoon, calling marriage equality “the civil rights issue of this generation, and, in my opinion, its time has come”. Listen and read to the speech here.

Opening the European Gay Policing Conference in Dublin Castle this morning, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter acknowledged the lack of legislation to recognise and support children in LGBT headed families, and committed to bring forward legislation.

Senator Katherine Zappone and Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan, who were lawfully married in the Canadian jurisdiction, will be issuing a fresh legal challenge in their fight to be married under Irish law. The new challenge will test the provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004, and Civil Partnership Act 2010, which prohibit marriage for same-sex couples.

Today – Valentine’s Day – Marriage Equality celebrates its fourth birthday. The aim of Marriage Equality’s work is to draw attention to the ongoing inequalities and legal difficulties faced by same-sex couples and their families despite the progress made with the civil partnership scheme.

Yesterday the government introduced the Finance Bill 2012. The proposed legislation will be discussed today in the Dáil. “So far, so boring,” I hear you say. Well, yes. But, in amongst the latest raft of measures implementing economic shock doctrine in Ireland, there are provisions which affect civil partners.

  Aoife Neary, a secondary school teacher and Doctoral researcher at the University of Limerick, has been in contact regarding her current research – and you can get involved!     What is this research about? The experiences of lesbian and gay teachers who are considering, planning or have had a civil partnership or civil [...]

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