Yesterday afternoon, word was excitedly spreading that the Irish Government had withdrawn its appeal against the 2007 High Court decision which held that the Irish State had breached the European Convention of Human Rights by refusing to allow for the applicant–Dr. Lydia Foy, a transgendered person–to obtain a birth certificate reflecting the sex appropriate to [...]

On Friday, Reuters reported that a number of countries in the United Nations have tried to block the IGLHRC’s status as an accredited organisation at the UN. Accreditation allows organisations to make representations to the UN on human rights issues within their expertise.

Last Thursday night, friend and I went along to see the Wild Oats Productions performance of The Laramie Project as part of the 7th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF). The Laramie Project is a play documenting the murder of Matthew Shepard in October 1998.

IWD raises awareness around the real experiences of women in the world. It highlights achievements, but also the oppression of half the human population, for reasons solely of their gender. Feminism, based on the fundamental principles of equality, solidarity and human rights is needed for the benefit of all in society.

Our friends at MarriagEquality have asked us to highlight an issue and we are delighted to do so.
Join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in calling upon the Malawi government to release Steven Monjeza (age 26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (age 20) from detention and end discrimination against LGBT and HIV/AIDS activists.

On Wednesday, a chief justice of a federal court in the U.S. demanded to know precisely what is meant when opponents of marriage equality say that such recognition would undermine marriage. The case goes to trial in January 2010, and could have an impact on other jurisdictions, including Ireland.

If you’re Irish and/or gay and you don’t know who David Norris is, well then that must be one secluded rock you’re living under. And, in light of his being honoured in San Francisco last week – including comparisons with Harvey Milk – everyone should know him! He’s gone international!

LGBT groups all over Ireland are up in arms over The Civil Partnership Bill, which was published yesterday. Read all about it here. The biggest indictment of the Bill? The Iona Institute congratulating the Government on “protecting the family”. On this day of celebration, prepare to get angry.

The newsdesk has been a-flutter with reports that members of direct-action community group for fair treatment of lgbtq people, EQUALS, are demonstrating their discontent with what they see as the codification of inequality in the Civil Partnerships Bill 2009 at Leinster House this Thursday lunchtime.

For those of us living under a rock, or out in that unseasonable sunny summer weather here in Ireland (myself included), last week’s ruling by the California Supreme Court may have slipped by unnoticed. The court’s decision effectively means that the vote by the simple majority to pass Proposition 8 still stands. Here, I briefly try to break down the ruling to its main points, including its potentially dangerous effects.

Hot on the heels of the momentum created by LGBT Noise’s rally on Sunday, a symposium on extending marriage rights for same-sex couples is taking place in a couple of weeks, on Thursday, 7th May 2009 in the Westbury Hotel, Grafton St, Dublin 2, from 10am-4pm.

Greetings, campers! Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you should be aware of the rally taking place on Sunday, 19th April 2009, calling for equality for same-sex relationships, i.e. marriage equality. We thought it might be a good idea to try to collate as many photos of the rally as possible from anyone and everyone who’s there. Here’s how to upload your pics!

Hold the phone, now, equality fans! What if – just what IF – our politicians were brave enough to legislate tomorrow for equality in marriage? Why can’t it be done so simply, and what private individual could stop it by taking a case to court? Well I say, “It can be done!” and, “No-one!” Read on..

Your schedule for the week, should you choose to accept it: Monday, 13th April
Make-And-Do-Monday at PantiBar; Sunday, 19th April 12pm: Tea and Cake at PantiBar, 2pm: Central Bank, afterwards: BBQ @ The Sycamore Club over Purty Kitchen. Why? Read on..

We met up with those heroines of the gay world, Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan, recently, for a candid chat about the inequality we still suffer. “Homosexuals are told, “That’s enough…No, no. No marriage for you, pal.” I mean, it’s unbelievable, outrageous. It’s utterly outrageous”.

10. Children can never succeed without both male and female role models at home. That’s why single parents are forbidden to raise children.

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.