The Civil Partnership Bill is progressing, and conservatives are stepping up their game in opposition. LGBT Noise needs us to do the same – read on!

The Dáil is to resume its debate on the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 this Wednesday, 27th January 2010. (It is scheduled to take place at some point between 11:29am and 1:30pm, although first to be debated in that time-slot will be two other bills.) A Live Blog has again been set up, and we hope to embed the stream to the live Oireachtas video to allow readers to follow the debate.

The Dáil is to resume its debate on the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 this Thursday, 21st January 2010. (It is scheduled to take place at some point between 10:30am and 3:30pm, although first to be debated in that time-slot will be the Adoption Bill.) A Live Blog has again been set up, and we hope to embed the stream to the live Oireachtas video to allow readers to follow the debate.

The Portuguese government yesterday approved proposed legislation to remove references to gender in respect of marriage. Yes, Portugal looks set to soon remove any prohibitions on same-sex marriage. The proposals, however, exclude such couples from being considered for adoption, with some saying that this enshrines further discrimination.

The Dáil is to debate the second stage of the Civil Partnership Bill today 6:45pm. As you may recall, the Bill was published the day before the Dublin Pride march in June of this year. A couple of weeks ago we wrote that An Taoiseach said the Bill would be debated, “Hopefully, in the first week of December.” And so it has come to pass.

I came across crazy Christians, Renew, thanks to recent posts on MamanPoulet. MP has also been writing about the religious fundies lobbying for a religious “opt-out” to the Civil Partnership Bill. The misses tried to extract some reasoned discussion from the un-speak and scare-mongering by dropping them an email..

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.

MarriagEquality has, with the help of many others, put together a short film called “Sinead’s Hand,” that draws attention to the important issue of civil marriage rights for same-sex couples. Watch this smart little movie here.

I’m sorry.. Last time that I checked, I was sure that Seán Brady was not an elected representative of this country, nor is he a member of government. And yet, he seems to think that he can stick his oar in concerning how the law of the land is shaped.

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.