gaelick » marriage equality

Finance Bill includes provisions for civil partners

click here — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:31:38 +0000

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.

GLEN, not surprisingly, have cheerfully welcomed the measures as “extending equal treatment for civil partners in the tax codes”. Given the organisation’s record on how they represent civil partnerships, however, I’d be a bit sceptical and prefer to read the document and wait for the Oireachtas debates myself.

The relevant bit is in Part 6 at Section 117 (“Miscellaneous amendments: civil partners”). Unfortunately, since it’s a series of amendments, it may be difficult to make sense of it at first glance (unless you’re a tax lawyer, say).

The government’s simplified version is:

Section 117 makes a change in respect of the tax treatment of civil partners subsequent to the passing of Finance (No. 3) Act 2011. The section addresses issues in relation to maintenance arrangements for
civil partners as compared to the maintenance relief provisions for married couples.

It also places civil partnerships on the same footing as married relationships where it is accepted, that after the break-up of a relationship, often for economic reasons, persons may continue to live under the same roof.

A number of minor technical amendments identified after passage of Finance (No. 3) Act 2011 are also being dealt with.

On first glance, and with precisely no expertise whatsoever, here’s my own (probably wrong) initial assessment:

One of the amendments relates to “rent-a-room relief” and means that now if a child is paying rent to their civilly-partnerfied parents for a room in the parents’ private residence, that rental income is not exempt from income tax (within a certain upper limit).

Stay with me, now.

Another amends the law relating to “wear and tear allowances for licences for public hire vehicles“. Jesus wept. Anyway, the amendment means that civil partners are included as well as spouses in being recognised as the “beneficial owner” of the vehicle licence upon the death of their partner.

Cheery.

The next amendment appears (to this lay person’s eyes at least) to be a bit of a semantic change. The section that’s amended, however is interesting. It currently states: “in the case of civil partners where they are not living separately and apart in circumstances where reconciliation is unlikely [...]“.

“Where reconciliation is unlikely”? Really? Does anyone else remember the big deal the then Minister for Justice, Fianna Fáil’s Dermot Ahern, made about being unable to include any mention in the Civil Partnership Bill about requiring family lawyers to explore the possibility of reconciliation before pursuing a dissolution of a civil partnership?

His justification was that it would be “unconstitutional” to include such a requirement. (Please..) And yet, since the Fine Gael Labour government has come to power, the prospect or otherwise of reconciliation is important when it comes to tax law? How curious. Does anyone know if the main Civil Partnership Act has been similarly amended?

It’s a good thing, certainly, since the clause relates to children and one-parent family tax credits – but it’s still a general contradiction, isn’t it?

Moving on.

The next amendment relates to the definition of “dependent relatives”. Surviving civil partners are included as being dependent relatives. Two things, however: they can be the parent of an individual, of the parent of an individual’s husband or wife; but there is no mention of the parent of an individual’s civil partner. The dependent relative, if they are a surviving civil partner, must also have not entered into a further marriage or civil partner; there is no such restriction mentioned in relation to a surviving spouse.

(Someone please tell me I’m reading this wrong.)

(a) In this subsection ‘dependent relative’, in relation to an individual, means a relative of the individual, or of the wife or husband of the individual, who is incapacitated by old age or infirmity from maintaining himself or herself, or a person, whether or not he or she is so incapacitated, and—

(i) who is the widowed father or widowed mother of the individual or of the wife or husband of the individual, or

(ii) who is the father or mother of the individual or of the wife or husband of the individual and is a surviving civil partner who has not subsequently married or entered into another civil partnership.

The words that spring to mind are “glaring” and “galling”.

After that, there are amendments which: include children raised by civil partners in relation to retirement funds; include surviving civil partners in relation to PRSA products; again makes a seemingly minor change (though the divil is always in the detail) in relation to income tax and civil partners living separately where reconciliation “is unlikely”; and broadens the definition of “maintenance arrangement“.

There are also seemingly minor amendments to capital acquisitions tax law, which aim to include civil partners as well as spouses; and, finally, provisions setting out the times and dates from which assessments or calculations are deemed to commence.

Ain’t equality grand?

Finance Bill 2012 (as initiated, together with Explanatory Memorandum) (PDF)
GLEN’s press release

Marriage equality comes to Washington state

click here — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:59:24 +0000

Gaining marriage equality rights in one state may be considered fortunate. Gaining marriage equality in two states may be regarded as real progress.

California’s Proposition 8 ruling is, like, so two days ago. Now it’s all about the introduction of a marriage equality Bill by the Washington legislature. (Do keep up.) West coast, y’all!

The state House of Representatives debated the measure before taking a vote just before midnight Irish time. It passed by 55 votes to 43. Washington governor, Christine Gregoire, who introduced the measure has indicated that she will sign the Bill into law immediately.

With today’s vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love. We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state. And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.

- Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The New York Times reports that the Bill could be signed as early as next week, but cautions that it may not take effect right away because, well, haters gonna hate. If opponents to the law can cobble together at least 120,000 signatures, then under state law the measure will be put to a referendum.

Nevertheless, now we can add to the list of things Washington is famous for: rain, Sleepless in Seattle, Nirvana, Starbucks, and marrige equality.

This is about couples. This is about family. This is about kids. This is about love and commitment.

- Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma.

Why should their union of over 23 years not be recognized? They are committed to each other. They love each other.

- Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, talking about her Democratic colleague, Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and her partner, Laura Wulf.

I’m very proud of my children. I’m very proud of my two sons. And they deserve the same rights and privileges that their brothers and sisters have. We have to have equal rights.

- Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, D-Seattle, speaking about her two gay sons.

Congratulations, Washingtonians!

Quotations via AP/Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Sligo LGBT Soc protest againsts Lucinda Creighton with “marriage ceremony”

Jen — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:42 +0000

Correction/Clarification (10th February 2012 at 3:15pm):

At the time of writing, it was believed that Lucinda Creighton had lodged a complaint to IT Sligo regarding the protest which took place on Monday last. It has since come to our attention that this was not the case, and that no such complaint was made.

ENDS

Speaking of marriage equality, on Monday Lucinda Creighton was scheduled to arrive at a seminar in Sligo IT called European Economic Policy – What’s in it for Ireland?

In February of last year Creighton caused uproar when she was criticized for her thoughts on marriage equality. She tweeted:

I think marriage is primarily about children, main purpose being to propagate & create environment for children to grow up. Its a good policy for society to support male/female marriage imo. I think civil partnership should ensure gay couples r treated fairly and justly re tax inheritance etc & recognition by the State But marriage is different.

The LGBT community and allies across the country voiced their rage and urged Enda Kenny to fire his then “equality spokeswoman”, while Fine Gael covered their tracks by stating they were Creighton’s own views and had nothing to do with the party.

So when the LGBT Society at Sligo IT heard about Creighton’s trip to the college they got their thinking caps on and immediately decided that they were going to make their presence felt and show Creighton that they were there, they mattered, and the fight for their right to marry was still going as strong as ever.

The staged marriages took place at the Salmon of Knowledge statue in the college grounds. The gay, lesbian and straight couples read vows and said their “I dos”. Shortly after this Lucinda Creighton arrived at the college while the LGBT society moved to the balcony to take photos.

Sarah O’Riordan, secretary for the ITS LGBT society said:

She showed up and we had one of our couples holding the flag. She averted our gazes completely. We kept silent, and went inside to stand on the balcony, and take photos, and they stood just to the left and attempted to pay no attention to us.

Sarah asked all in attendance to remember that this year Irish MEPs (Mary Lou Mcdonald , Bairbre Dé Brún,Padraig Mcloughlin,Toiresa Ferris, Kathleen Funchoin, Dan Boyle, Fiachra O Luain) signed the Be Bothered pledge which asked that:

…politicians remember to uphold their promises to the LGBT community, to uphold the fight for equal rights in the LGBT community, and to promise for the next twoand a half years to work 110% to make that difference.

Sarah’s speech concluded with:

We are all fighting for something in life, we are fighting for equality, four our rights, and it is a battle that never stops.

Creighton was not oblivious to the ITS peaceful protest against her presence in the college. Before she left she apparently lodged a complaint against the ITS LGBT Society. That didn’t dampen their spirits, however, and the couples enjoyed their ”honeymoon” in the local with a few pints and smiles all round.

California’s Proposition 8 deemed unconstitutional

click here — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:03:55 +0000

Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California.

It’s LGBT History Month in the UK, but it was across the Atlantic that history was being made yesterday.

A court in the United States ruled yesterday on the validity of California’s Proposition 8, the referendum proposal which introduced a ban on marriage equality in the state.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting in San Francisco, issued its ruling at 10am local time (6pm Irish time). It stated that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional as a matter of US federal law.

Although the [US] Constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted.

The Court’s ruling can be read here (pdf). The AP has some excerpts from the ruling here. The National Center for Lesbian Rights has issued a statement. There’s also an easy-to-understand analysis here.

Although strident in its language, the Court confined itself to a narrow issue: it did not address the question of the right to marry or equality for same-sex couples in general. Rather, the court looked at the particular circumstances which arose in this case.

California had already introduced marriage equality before the proposal to ban same-sex marriage was introduced, and eventually passed by voters.

The Court ruled that this measure, removing a right which had previously existed, was unconstitutional.

Because under California statutory law, same-sex couples had all the rights of opposite-sex couples, regardless of their marital status, all parties agree that Proposition 8 had one effect only. It stripped same-sex couples of the ability they previously possessed to obtain from the state, or any other authorized party, an important right — the right to obtain and use the designation of ‘marriage’ to describe their relationships. Nothing more, nothing less.

Does the ruling have any implications for Ireland? Well yes and no and maybe (but mostly no).

Irish courts can have regard to judgements from other countries, although such judgements are not binding.

The circumstances of US case don’t arise in the Irish context: although the Fianna Fáil-led government introduced legislation in 2004 to ban marriage between same-sex couples, Ireland hasn’t already expressly provided for equality.

(Compare Spain, however: there, the previous Socialist government introduced marriage equality, but before recent elections, the conservative Partido Popular pledged to remove such equality. It remains to be seen whether the current Spanish government will follow through with this election promise and, if they do, whether such a move will stand up to EU and/or European human rights laws.)

The case being taken by Senator Katherine Zappone and Dr Ann Louise Gilligan to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland is currently awaiting a hearing date from the Supreme Court. Before Christmas, they were unsuccessful in including a challenge to the 2004 legislation, but in theory the legislation may be open to challenge.

Although the US ruling relates to different circumstances, some of the points it makes may well be relevant to the Irish situation.

14 year old girl asks Maryland to vote “No” on marriage equality for her birthday

Jen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:06 +0000

A video of a 14 year old girl asking the people of Maryland to vote “No” on marriage equality went viral yesterday on Buzz Feed. She spent her birthday with the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and made her birthday wish to lawmakers. She said:

Today is my 14th birthday and it would be the best birthday present ever if you would vote NO on gay marriage. I really feel bad for the kids who have two parents of the same gender. Even though some kids think it’s fine, they have no idea what kind of wonderful experiences they miss out on. I don’t want more kids to get confused about what’s right and okay. I really don’t want to grow up in a world where marriage isn’t such a special thing anymore.

It’s rather scary to think that when I grow up the legislature or the court can change the definition of any word they want. If they could change the definition of marriage then they could change the definition of any word.

People have the choice to be gay, but I don’t want to be affected by their choice. People say that they were born that way, but I’ve met really nice adults who did change.

So please vote no on gay marriage. Thank you.

The recorded birthday message sounds obviously scripted. A girl of fourteen does not come up with these opinions on her own, so what kind of parents must she have? It’s truly sad to hear a fourteen year old voice her homophobia so blatantly whether she’s being influenced or not.

I posted the YouTube video on Facebook and immediately people were commenting on the video, voicing their outrage. Darragh Horgan said:

Definitely a sense of moral questioning going on, “whats right and okay“, plenty of things are not right and ok, but they are ongoing in the world at present and dont heed any obstruction. The only difference is, this threatens people’s understanding of the society they are in, and more importantly brings the recognisation of anyone who fails to fufill a heteronormative role into question as a second class citizen.

Paul Bostock said:

“But i think marriage should be between opposite genders and children must experience a mum and a dad” What bullcrap. When it comes to marriage and family it’s love and stability that matter, not gender. I still can’t believe the amount of “not-in-love” people that get married and screw up their kids time and time again and are allowed preference over a gay couple that’ll happily love and care for their children and for each other. The whole thing sickens me.

On ThinkProgress where the original ‘news flash’ was posted, a comment beneath the recording said:

For her to be abused that way by her anti-gay parents constitutes a form of child abuse. “People have the choice to be gay,” she says “but I don’t want to be affected by their choice.” The only way she is being “affected” by gay people is that her parents are teaching her to hate them.

For all of the people who have moved on from their prehistoric homophobic views, there seems to always be somebody waiting to challenge the progress that has been made, and what a disgrace it is when adults are still influencing the next generation of kids to be just as homophobic and ignorant as they are.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Tsr7rz9Og

“Vote Against” Project in North Carolina

Gooner — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:54:16 +0000

We gays do a good campaign don’t we? It Gets Better, NOH8 and so on.

To be fair to our community, most LGBTs really want a way to come together and try to make a difference and when given a platform we can outdo ourselves. The latest in this distinguished list is the North Carolina “Vote Against” Project.

Some background for you: on 8th May next the folks of North Carolina will vote on a ban on same sex marriage. While most places are voting on recognising rights, these people have to stand up and speak just to keep things the same and prevent their work for marriage equality taking a major step in the wrong direction.

Last September a rally was held in Raleigh, NC, to oppose the legislature’s vote to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Sadly, however, the amendment passed and now attention must go to getting as many no votes as possible, but what exactly would this mean to LGBTs in North Carolina?

According to the Vote Against website the amendment does the following:

In addition to prohibiting same-sex marriage, as state law already does, the Amendment would:

prohibit North Carolina from ever passing legislation that would grant civil unions;
bar the state from instituting domestic partnership rights;
strip the domestic partner insurance benefits currently offered to employees by a number of local governments.

It’s hard to fathom in this day and age that people still have to stand up against this kind on nonsense, but there it is.

Curtis Brown is a Raleigh-based photographer who has started the project which captures images of people wearing “vote against t-shirts”, much like the NOH8 campaign started by Adam Bouska in California.

Brown is even going on tour around the states to facilitate the participation of as many people as possible. You just have to commend people like him: well done to Curtis and all his volunteers. Let’s hope the vote goes the right way and this kind of backwards step is prevented by a large majority.

New Anti-Marriage Equality Argument in Canadian Court

CanuckJacq — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:39 +0000

Yesterday, Canada’s Globe and Mail published a story stating that lawyers, on behalf of the Canadian Government, were set to argue that a same-sex marriage contracted between two non-residents was never a valid marriage in the first place, and thereby decline to allow a divorce.

The particular case involves two women in their thirties, who married in 2005 and now are seeking a divorce. In Canada, a divorce is only possible following 1 year’s residency in Canada, even though it is possible to marry without any residency requirements.

The couple are challenging the residency requirement in a Charter case.

The argument to be put to the court in February — by government lawyers — is that if two people marry in Canada but are ineligible to marry in their jurisdiction of residence, the marriage is invalid. If this argument succeeds, the couple will not require a divorce because they will be deemed to never have been married, along with about 5000 other non-resident couples since 2004.

“In this case, neither party had the legal capacity to marry a person of the same sex under the laws of their respective domiciles – Florida and the United Kingdom,” Mr. Gaudet stated. “As a result, their marriage is not legally valid under Canadian law.”
Federal Lawyer, Sean Gaudet, Globe and Mail

So far, the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has said that his goverment is not interested in reopening the debate on marriage equality and asserts he was not aware of the details of this case.

From an Irish perspective, this could have a devastating impact on the Zappone/Gilligan case if they are deemed to have never been married at all. My own marriage would also be affected.

Regardless of outcome, it’s a harsh reminder that the fight is never over. Our rights, even where they are recognised, appear to be endlessly vulnerable.

I will have another post with analysis shortly.

Zappone and Gilligan receive European honour

click here — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:42:08 +0000

This just in from our friends in Marriage Equality:

Senator Katherine Zappone and Dr Ann Louise Gilligan honoured among top inspirational female role models in Europe

Following a successful nomination to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) by Marriage Equality, Senator Katherine Zappone and her partner Dr Ann Louise Gilligan have been featured in the EU organisation’s “Women Inspiring Europe” 2012 calendar.

With the publication of the calendar, currently in its second year, EIGE aims to give visibility and pay homage to some of Europe’s most remarkable women, by highlighting their achievements and success stories.

Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality, said:

We’re absolutely delighted that Senator Zappone and Dr Gilligan have been featured in the ‘Women Inspiring Europe’ calendar. They are hugely inspirational women for the marriage equality movement – not only in Ireland, but around the world. Their struggle to have their Canadian marriage recognised here is a huge part of the reason that we have Civil Partnership legislation in Ireland today.

While Civil Partnership is an important step on the road to equality, there is still much work to be done before equality is achieved. Senator Zappone and Dr Gilligan’s continued challenge has inspired people from all across the country to join the campaign for equality for same-sex couples, our families and our children.

Marriage Equality nominated Senator Zappone and Dr Gilligan not only for their work with the marriage equality movement, but also for their tireless dedication to women’s rights.

In 1986 they founded The Shanty (An Cosán) – a distinctive model of community-based education aimed at tackling poverty, isolation, inequality and disadvantage that played a key role in crystallising women’s community education in Ireland and worked to gain recognition of women’s community education as deserving a state-supported role within the education system.

They have also established the Centre for Progressive Change, which aims to respond to the crisis of the breakdown of financial and social systems that Ireland is facing by promoting an ethical vision that puts community at the heart of public life. The CPC offers services and training to individuals and organisations aiming to implement progressive change in the development of public policies and laws, and the design and delivery of public services.

Senator Zappone and Dr Gilligan are featured in the month of May, which coincides with the International Day of Families (May 15th) and the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17th). The 2012 calendar is the first time a lesbian couple has been highlighted as an inspirational feature. The text accompanying their photo praises their courage and devotion as an inspiration to others who encounter a violation of their rights to fight for them.

Speaking at the launch of the calendar, EIGE Director Virginija Langbakk said:

So many women across Europe could be promoted as great examples of their career and actions. We selected 12 women … just to give Europe a glimpse of their potential and to demonstrate that people can make a difference – if they act, and in particular, if they act different.

The “Women Inspiring Europe” calendar will be widely distributed in EU policy making circles. A copy of the calendar can be found online here.

LGBT milestones of 2011

click here — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:31:05 +0000

Here’s another article from one of our new writers, Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin. Happy New Year!

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. We’ve seen setbacks for marriage equality in Ireland, homosexuality still criminal in 76 countries around the world, lesbians tortured in anti-gay clinics in Ecuador, the LGBT community drastically suppressed in Russia, and gay teenagers everywhere still being tormented by homophobic bullying.

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.

1. Civil Partnership

Ireland rang in the New Year with the Civil Partnership Act, which came into effect on 1st January 2011, granting considerably enhanced rights to co-habiting partners, including gay couples. On 4th April, Hugh Walsh and Barry Dignam entered into the first publicly celebrated partnership under the Act.

On 5th March, the Taoiseach outlined the government’s intentions for a constitutional convention, including a provision for discussing marriage for same-sex couples. While the parameters of the convention remain unclear, the mention of marriage equality in the Programme for Government shows that gay rights have become something of a legislative priority. As Iarnród Éireann would put it, “We’re not there yet… but we’re getting there”.

2. LGBT Representatives in the Oireachtas

The number of openly gay Oireachtas members has quadrupled in 2011. In February, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons of the Labour Party became the first openly gay TDs in the history of the State. David Norris, despite the upsets in his presidential campaign, held the Trinity seat he’s been fighting from for the last 24 years.

Finally, in a real triumph for the LGBT community, for women, for men, for children, for Human Rights, for Ireland, for the world, the solar system and the universe… the visionary Dr Katherine Zappone was appointed to the Senate at the request of the Táiniste.

3. Born this Way

Like it or not, Gaga’s anthem, released on 23rd May, was the soundtrack of gay 2011.

Gaga is a leader in a powerful popular campaign for equality that’s taking place on people’s TVs and iPods, and in their tweets, hearts and minds.

4. Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

On 20th September, the United States finally repealed the insidious, twenty-year old ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, which prevented LGBT people from serving openly in the military. At last, the army that professes to fight for freedom around the world afforded this most basic freedom to its own soldiers.

Last month the full adorable implications of the change were embodied by the ‘first kiss on land’ between Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta and Petty Officer 3rd Class Citalic Snell.

5. Hillary Clinton’s Speech

In the months since the repeal of DADT, the Obama administration has dramatically altered its foreign policy relating to gay rights. This shift culminated in Hillary Clinton’s ground breaking speech in Geneva on December 6th, urging the world’s leaders to afford LGBT people “the full measure of liberty, the full experience of dignity, and the full benefits of humanity.”

6. President Higgins

On 29th October, the election of Michael D. Higgins as the 9th President of Ireland was another victory for progressive, tolerant Ireland.

This feminist, human rights activist and LGBT ally is a true successor to the Marys Robinson and McAleese in the struggle to dismantle “the noxious apparatus of homophobia”.

7. International leaders support marriage equality

Around the world, the cause of Marriage Equality has been gaining momentum. In the UK, David Cameron has pledged that his government is now committed to discussing “how, not if” to implement full civil marriage for LGBT couples, and to have the legislation in place within the lifetime of the current parliament. The ruling Australian Labour Party also adjusted its platform to support full marriage equality.

In the USA, President Obama at last took a stronger stance on gay marriage, and voicing his support for the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’, which will invalidate DOMA. While many of the prospective Republican candidates for 2012 are virulently anti-gay, with Obama onside we’re promised a fair fight. Well, as fair as a fight can be when one side is clearly right.

8. Marriage equality in New York

On June 24th, just in time for a particularly joyful Pride, New York passed its Marriage Equality Act, becoming most populous state yet to legalise full gay marriage.

The first wedding in Manhattan was a real tearjerker, taking place between Phyllis Siegel, 77, and Connie Kopelov, 85.

9. Progress on homophobic bullying

Horrifying stories of gay bullying and suicide continued to emerge this year, most memorably that of 14-year old Jamey Rodemeyer, an out 14-year old activist and blogger. However, it seems that although change comes dropping slow, change does come.

In December, Ireland’s own Belong To were held up as role models at a UN conference in Rio, dedicated specifically tackling homophobic bullying as human rights abuse.

10. The UN’s first resolution on LGBT rights

This year the UN Human Rights Council passed a specific resolution supporting LGBT rights for the first time in its history. The resolution expresses “grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

While the resolution has no binding effect, it is a milestone in that it reflects an international shift in values. Its opponents are concerned that the Resolution will force countries to legalise homosexuality and recognise marriage equality. Here’s hoping that they’re right.

Have we missed anything important? Add your 2011 milestones in the comments!

I, like, like that you like this: Your fave Facebook links of 2011

click here — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:16 +0000

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

16. Women have US Navy’s first same-sex homecoming kiss

They’re gorgeous, they’re confident, and they wear amazing uniforms. They’re Officers Gaeta and Snell, and they were the first same-sex couple to have the Navy’s traditional “homecoming kiss” since the repeal of DADT. They’re the new this.

As well as the Beeb’s story, there was the video, as well as the original story and pics from The Virginian-Pilot.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta (23) and her girlfriend of two years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell (22) share the traditional dockside “first kiss” since the US ended a ban on gays in the army.

Aren’t they only gorgeous?

15. Amber Heard: Staying in the closet in Hollywood is a horribly detrimental lie

We do love Amber Heard here on Gaelick. (At least, some of us are obsessed.)

14. Billie Jean King and Martina Navrátilová respond to Margaret Court’s homophobic rant

13. Gay couple being told they will become grandparents

12. In memory of Sonia Pierre, human rights defender

Sonia Pierre was a prominent human rights defender of African descent from the Dominican Republic, who founded and served as Director of the Movement of Dominican-Haitian Women (MUDHA). Sonia passed away at the age of 48 from a heart attack on 4 December.

11. Same-sex partnerships from abroad to be recognised in Ireland

This brings to 32 the number of jurisdictions in respect of which Ireland recognises same-sex relationships as civil partnerships, as of 25th December 2011. Of these 32 jurisdictions, 18 provide for marriage equality.

This means that (despite The Journal‘s headline) if you are validly married under the law in any of these 18 places, your marriage will be downgraded by Ireland to a civil partnership.

Happy Christmas.

10. Ellen and Sofia Vergara shoot a CoverGirl ad

9. “What’s goin’ on”

8. “Sarah Silverman’s It Gets Better message is to adults: antigay adults. Blunt and to the point.”

7. Gay Agenda planning

From the Recruitment Committee: We are facing an uphill battle. The world’s population has reached 7 billion. This means that we will have to work hard to not only maintain our strength at 10 percent of the population, but each current member will have to recruit at least three new members to reach our target goal of 11 percent in 2012. (Remember our long-range plan: 16 percent by ’16!)

6. Recently, a Michigan mayor wrote on Facebook, “I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there”. This woman stood up with her wife and her two children and spoke directly to the mayor. She was magnificent.

5. Margaret Cho feat. Tegan & Sara: “Intervention”

4. The primary reason why cats will never develop a system of organised religion

3. Yoga Cat

2. Ah, the Burke family, of ..somewhere in Mayo

1. From Jack to Jackie: “Why I had a sex change at 16”

“I do feel guilty sometimes,” says Jackie “because my mum’s gone through all this with me and I know people judge her and think she’s done the wrong thing. But I just couldn’t wait for it to happen. She and my dad have been brilliant. When they both came to terms with the situation they helped me so much. I owe them my life.”

Gaelick’s top posts of 2011

click here — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:41:30 +0000

These are the top 10 articles on Gaelick that you just couldn’t keep your peepers off this year. Is your favourite here, or have we left out something very important? Read! Share! Comment!

10. A is for Autostraddle

Before our super fabulous give-away, we brought you a taste of the gorgeous women of the Autostraddle 2012 calender, which is produced, photographed, make-upped, hair-did and modelled by and for lady-lovin’ ladies.

We can fully understand why this one is popular with you, dear readers..

9. Bitches Be Hazy

Best club night of 2011? It’s certainly a contender: I predict queues out the door, around the corner and down the streets in 2012.

Keep an eye out for the next one in January!

8. Preview: X Factor final

Admit it! You were all hooked this year: At least there were plenty of you were eagerly anticipating who among Marcus, Amelia and Little Mix would be victorious in telly’s greatest hype mach- er, I mean, talent competition.

Are we pleased with the outcome?

7. Glee: Santana vs It Gets Better

Glee stirred up a lot of passions this year, especially when it came to Santana’s storyline, and the (lack of) on-screen lesbian action.

Here, CanuckJacq took a look at the brouhaha in the context of the It Gets Better campaign.

6. Hillary Clinton’s speech to the UN

Shortly before Human Rights Day, and Belong To’s amazing achievement at the UN in Brazil, Hillary Clinton delivered a historic speech to the UN in Geneva.

My advice was (and still is) to set aside 30 minutes to sit down and fully listen to the whole speech.

5. Filming Lip Service Season 2

Seems no-one can wait for the return of Lip Service to our screens, as our article published back in May is still one of our most read articles on the site. We last heard that the show was due to go on air “in early 2012″.

Ruta Gedmintas has been told it’ll air in the springtime – so thinks “Marchish?” Let’s hope they don’t delay!

4. Australian marriage ad is internet hit

A recent ad for Marriage Equality, this time from the land of Oz, became a hit online and on our blog.

It carries a simple but powerful message.

3. The lezolution is not being televised

Back to Glee, and of all the articles written about the programme’s treatment of its lesbian characters (we had at least three), this one was the most read of all.

One of our new writers, Sinéad, took a sideways look at lesbians on Glee, and on telly in general, and she was not a happy chappy!

2. To watch out for in 2011: Film

What hot girl on girl action came to the big screens in 2011? Here’s a list of queer-tastic films we predicted at the start of the year.

It seems we were a bit ahead of ourselves in naming some of these titles: a few are now no longer listed on IMDb (or anywhere in one case!), while some others are listed as “in production” with release dates in the new year or in 2013.

1. FAIL: RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year Awards

Just before Christmas, I had a big rant about the fact that, despite being shortlisted for the Irish Sports Council/RTÉ Sports Person of the Year Awards in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, Katie Taylor was once again overlooked.

The lovely folks at Broadsheet picked up on the tirade, and the next day I spoke to Phantom FM’s Feedback to explain myself on air. Rarrrgh!

Christmas with Marriage Equality

tabula rasa — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:04 +0000

Our friends at Marriage Equality are pulling out all the stops for the Christmas season, starting with the now annual raffle!

If you fancy a trip to sunny Orlando, Florida instead, get your tickets for Winter Warm Up Raffle soon, they’re going fast and with these awesome prizes like these you definitely don’t want to miss out!

First Prize
A 6 night trip for 2 people to Orlando, Florida – sponsored by Tour America

Second Prize
A luxury 2 night mini-break in Ghan House, Carlingford, Co. Louth

Third Prize
A luxury overnight B&B (including dinner) at The Lodge at Ashford, Co. Mayo

Tickets are €5 each or 3 for €10 and are available via Marriage Equality’s website.

The draw will take place in Panti Bar on Saturday, December 17th.

This year, they also have a selection of adorable Christmas cards for sale. They really are the cutest things, and feature same-sex snow couples and families!

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A Christmas card from Marriage Equality…

Just like the raffle tickets, the cards are going fast… so make sure to buy yours soon!

Remember folks, all money raised goes towards Marriage Equality’s campaign for equality for same-sex couples, our families and our children.

The cards are available here.

Australian marriage equality ad is internet hit

Gooner — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:00:16 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TBd-UCwVAY

Watch this. Then read on.

There have been many successful ads and viral campaigns for full civil marriage rights for gay people all over the world. Not least among them is our very own Rory’s Story. The latest in this distinguished list comes from Get Up! Action for Australia. It is seen through the eyes of someone falling in love with and sharing their everyday life with a man. In the end the man proposes marriage and it becomes clear the ad is depicting two men.

The short ad is basically a love story and what I find so moving about it is that is shows one person really loving and being there for another. The advert was shown in Australia over the weekend in an attempt to get the Labour Party to endorse marriage equality. The film has already been viewed well over 1.5 million times which, when you take into to consideration it’s release only 5 days ago, is startling.

This time next weekend, delegates at the ALP National Conference will be voting on whether to make it their policy to end marriage discrimination. Paul Mackay, a Get Up! campaigner, has said:

We’ve been pointing to the national conference as a key moment for the party to reconsider its stance on marriage and pave the way for equality, and with only one week to go, we need to do all we can to ramp up that pressure

The title of the video “It’s Time” says it all. Well done to everyone at Get Up! and I really hope their campaign does the trick. Who could watch this video and not be touched?

BLT Sandwich (25-27 Nov)

click here — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:50:28 +0000

This is one busy weekend around Ireland, 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!

Friday, 25th November

Nationwide

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Start of International 16 Days Action (until 10th December). In Ireland, Women’s Aid are running their 16 Days campaign – Events around Ireland are listed at the
Women’s Aid 16 Days blog

Cork

Participants are needed for the Ms Gay Cork contest this Sunday! Please come & support. Proceeds go to Linc and Marriage Equality. web / facebook / facebook event

Dublin

Art for Equality in aid of Marriage Equality. 14/15 St Stephen’s Green. Exhibition of works for auction runs until 6:30pm on Sat; Auction takes place at 6:30pm on Sat.

Bitches Be Crazy. 8pm. Fiver before 9:30pm, tenner after. BYOB. Click “I’m attending” for details.

BeLonG To Gay Prom at the Mansion House. Doors 8pm. Excitement!

Plus! The Gay Prom After-Party will take place in Copper Alley (behind the Front Lounge). Admission is FREE with your Gay Prom ticket – (or if your dressed up to the 9s). Doors 1am. The Gay Prom After-Party will be rocking ‘til the wee small hours!

The Electric Disco in aid of Barnardos at Tripod, Dublin, 10pm. €10 before 11pm and €15 after. Running Amach info. 2FM info.

Galway

The shOUT! peeps are looking for people interested in becoming volunteer youth leaders within the shOUT! project. Get in touch if interested! Deadline is 26th November. Phone: 087 7738529. Email: shout@youthworkgalway.ie. shOUT! is a partnership of Youth Work Ireland, Galway with the support of BeLonG To.

Wicklow

Civil Partnership & Co-Habiting: seminar on rights and obligations. Hunters Hotel, Wicklow. Starts 7:30pm. Info at 086 8074999.

Saturday, 26th November

Donegal

Breakout LGBT youth group. 2pm to 4pm. Contact lgbt@donegalyouthservice.ie or 085 7411 607.

Dublin

Dublin Front Runners at the Phoenix Park from 10am. More information: dublinfrontrunners@gmail.com

Dr Sketchy’s B&W Christmas, 3pm at Le Cirk.

Running Amach – Circle dance afternoon at Outhouse. 4pm.

Art for Equality in aid of Marriage Equality. 14/15 St Stephen’s Green. Auction at 6:30pm.

Strand Street Cabaret dinner & show. 8pm.

Klub Diva Chrimbo Shindig at The Turk’s Head. Doors 9:30pm.

Princess Ri-Ri WAR at Andrew’s Lane Theatre. “My vagina is just as hungry as Rihanna’s.” It’s a Rihanna special. Doors 10pm.

Dundalk

AIM Youth Group. 1pm to 3pm. Contact youth@outcomers.org or 086 162 5030.

Galway

Ceramics workshop at shOUT! Phone: 087 7738529. Email: shout@youthworkgalway.ie

Deadline for expressions of interest for volunteer youth leaders with shOUT!. Get in touch if interested!

Shenanigans meet for coffee. 3pm.

Shenanigans at Wildes Bar. 9pm.

The Full Moon Thai Party at Dignity.

Limerick

My LGBT Young Adults Group (18-25 years). 12noon to 2pm. Contact mylgbrss@gmail.com or (061) 310 101 / 085 285 0107.

Rainbow Teens (14-17 years). 12noon to 2pm. Contact mylgbrss@gmail.com or (061) 310 101 / 085 285 0107.

Sunday, 27th November

Cork

Ms Gay Cork at Chambers. Doors 9pm. Proceeds to Linc & Marriage Equality.

Dublin

Running Amach at the Science Gallery. 12 noon.

Dublin International Gay Social Group (D.I.G.S.) monthly Sunday meetup. 1pm.

BeLonG To Sundays. 3pm to 6pm. Contact info@belongto.org or (01) 670 6223.

Running Amach board games afternoon. 3pm in Temple Bar.

Running Amach film meet up at the IFI (My Week With Marilyn). 4pm.

Waterford

Chill Out youth group. 2pm to 4pm. Contact chillout@wstcys.ie or 086 858 9865.

LGBT Noise Table Quiz Dec 1st

Gooner — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:23:13 +0000

Do you like riddles? Solve a few LGBT Noise riddles and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes, as well as helping out a worthy cause.

LGBT Noise will be having a table quiz on 1st December next in the Front Lounge, Parliament Street, Dublin.

Fighting for equality is expensive work and funds need to be raised in order to be able to continue fighting for our rights! So join the folks at LGBT Noise in the Front Lounge on Thursday the 1st and help raise money and be in with a chance of winning some amazing prizes!

To pre-book a table, email info@lgbtnoise.ie

LGBT Noise tablequiz: web / facebook / twitter

Where? The Front Lounge, 33 Parliament Street, Dublin 2
When? Thursday, 1st December 2011 at 7pm
How much? €10 per person. Max. four people per table.
Why? To raise funds for LGBT Noise!

Art for Equality

click here — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:08:01 +0000

This just in from our friends at Marriage Equality:

Irish Artists Lend Their Support to Marriage Equality
16.11.2011

The work of some of Ireland’s leading artists will come under the hammer at an art auction fundraising event for Marriage Equality. Entitled “Art for Marriage Equality”, the auction takes place on Saturday, November 26th and features pieces from Anne Madden, Pauline Bewick, Steven Mannion, Jim Fitzpatrick and many more.

Adams Auctioneers have given their services free and will oversee the proceedings. Director Eamon O’Connor is hopeful that the donated work – which ranges from paintings to sculpture and ceramics – will sell well on the day.

“I am delighted with the support we have received from the artists who have generously donated their work to our auction – it’s events like this that really make a difference to our fundraising efforts,” said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith. “We are a not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and children. Many people think that civil partnership is the same as marriage but it is not, and same sex families still face discrimination on a daily basis because of the marriage ban for lesbian and gay people.”

Artist Steven Mannion explains why he’s supporting the event:

“When my husband and I got married we had to travel to Canada to do it. I didn’t believe that civil partnership was an option because Eamon asked me to marry him, he didn’t ask me to civil partner him! When I said I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, I didn’t mean as a legally recognised, cohabiting, same sex, civil partner… I meant as his husband. That’s why my husband and I, our family and friends support Marriage Equality and the team who work so tirelessly to achieve it.”

Sculptor Ann Meldon Hugh added:

“I believe this is an extremely important cause to support. All Irish people should be treated as equal, and all Irish families and children should be given equal rights. Families, human relationships and the interactions of the individual with the environment around them is central to much of my work, so it seems fitting that I should give a piece to a cause that works to improve and stabilise the Irish legal environment for the families of gay and lesbian people in Ireland.”

The pieces will be displayed in a public exhibition at 14/15 St Stephen’s Green (corner of Dawson Street) on Friday, November 25th from 12:00–9:00 pm and on Saturday, 26th from 12:00 – 5:00.pm.

An on-line catalogue will be available to view on www.marriagequality.ie. An on-line bidding facility will also be available online.

List of Artists involved in Art for Marriage Equality:

BLT Sandwich (14-17 Nov)

click here — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:14:28 +0000

From Carlow to Wexford, there is plenty to keep the comely maidens and pals occupied this week in Ireland. (Send us your news of any other events we’ve missed.)

Enjoy!

Ongoing

Nationwide

Cork

UCC LGBT Trans/GID/GD Awareness Week – Until 18th November

Wexford

Wexford Visibility Week – Until 19th November

Tuesday, 15th November

Carlow

TENI Family Support Meeting

Cork

LGBT Community Forum

Dublin

Bi-Irish at Outhouse

Galway

shOUT! bowling night

Wednesday, 16th November

Clare

Clare Women’s Network Meeting, Ennis (every fortnight)

Cork

Civil Partnership Explained – book ahead to be guaranteed a place!

Dublin

TENI Action for Recognition Committee meeting

ERA Campaign: Public Sector Positive Duties to Promote Equality

Thursday, 17th November

Cork

MsGay Cork, Marriage Equality and Linc table quiz – 9pm in Loafers

Dublin

Final day to Sign up to Equality and win! with Marriage Equality

Dublin AIDS Alliance: comedy fundraiser at The Laughter Lounge

Women’s Night at Outhouse, from 8pm.

Running Amach meet-up at Accents Lounge, from 9pm.

On deconstructing “the noxious apparatus of homophobia”

click here — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:42:08 +0000

This morning, the Green Party tweeted the following:

Nice try lads – the Greens were in power when the CP Act came into being – but I don’t think so.

What President McAleese actually said in her speech at The Gala Awards is posted below. And who could blame her, with 169 differences between civil partnership and marriage?

(To say nothing of the fact that the Green Party in the past pledged its support for full marriage equality – until they had the chance to get into government, presumably.)

When called on it via Twitter, the Green Party responded by saying: “Yes, she commends [the Civil Partnership Act] and seems to want to go forward to full marriage – no contradiction in commending a step and supporting a goal.”

Really? Perhaps the Green Party shouldn’t misrepresent the main theme of the President’s speech: equality.

Acceptance speech of President Mary McAleese on receipt of the Gala Award for LGBT-Friendly Political Figure 2011:

It’s a great honour and pleasure for me to accept this Political Figure of the Year Award from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Ireland and of Ireland.

2011 has been an historic year for the gay and lesbian community, with the passing of civil partnership legislation. It has been heart-warming, life-affirming to see since then the pure joy and happiness on the faces of those who have been able at last to have their loving relationships officially recognised.

Yet, we have only come a small way on the road to achieving a society where all citizens enjoy full, equal rights and civic opportunities. I pray that we can achieve full equality, and deconstruct the noxious apparatus of homophobia which attempts to demean the human person, causing such awful damage – particularly to those young people throughout the country who are coming to terms with their sexuality and sense of self.

Much has been achieved to counter this toxin, but there still remain problems to solve and work to be done. But tonight I want to pay tribute to the people who are doing the work: to the National Lesbian and Gay Federation for their advocacy for a more equal, more inclusive, more tolerant society. You are not only the custodians of the trust of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, which you represent with such passion and conviction, you are worthy exemplars for all those in Irish society who yearn to see the full realisation of the Proclamation of this country: that all the children of this nation shall be cherished equally.

May you all enjoy this wonderful evening and celebration of all that is good in your community, may I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and many kindnesses to me during my time in office.

The GALAs 2011

click here — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:01:15 +0000

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of this year’s Galas 2011, in their third year, and thanks to everyone who voted! The award winners were well represented by the LBT (and non-LBT) women of Ireland.

The event last night was introduced by the wonderful Ailbhe Smyth, to kick off the ceremony which has been held annually since 2009 to say to members of the LGBT community: “Thank you, we respect you, and honour you”.

Opening the proceedings was Donna McCaul with a rousing rendition of “Listen” from the Dreamgirls film – she’s a belter! – before the awards were presented by Declan Buckley and Sonya Lennon.

The first award of the evening went to the outgoing President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who received the Gala Award 2011 for LGBT-Friendly Political Figure of the Year. Take a listen to her acceptance speech here:

(Apologies for picture quality, but it’s worth a listen! UPDATE: GCN has posted the full version of the video here – avec image!)

The winner of Community Organisation went to Marriage Equality, and Employer of the Year went to IBM. The Business Person of the Year award went to Kerryann Conway of Conway Communications. Volunteer of the Year was the irrepressible Maureen Looney, the brains behind Running Amach.

The award for Journalist/Broadcaster of the Year went to TV3’s Ireland AM. The Online Award went to Suzy Byrne for MamanPoulet.com, a must for every political junkie in need of a fix. Ireland’s LGBT deaf community was honoured with the award for Voluntary Organisation going to Greenbow.

The Noel Walsh HIV Campaigner of the Year award went to Paula Gilmore of Open Heart House, who dedicated her win to all those other workers and activists supporting people living with HIV and AIDS.

National Event of the Year went to Alternative Miss Ireland, which will be staged for the last time in 2012. An AMI retrospective will be held in March 2013, looking back at pageant’s history from 1987 to 2013. A new addition to the awards, the Regional Event of the Year, went to the Cork Women’s Fun Weekend, one of the longest-running LGBT events in Ireland. Irish Artist/Entertainer of the Year went to Glória, Dublin’s Lesbian and Gay Choir.

For the second year running, an award was presented to the International Activist of the Year, sponsored by Front Line, ICCL and Amnesty Ireland. This year, the award was won by Thai activist, Paisarn Likhitpreechakul.

The final award of the evening, The 2011 Person of the Year Award, presented by Tina O’Toole, went to the fabulous (and bauld) Irish author Emma Donohue.

The list of finalists (winners are in italics):

LGBT-Friendly Political Figure of the Year

Mary McAleese, President of Ireland
Proinsias De Rossa, MEP
Dominic Hannigan, TD

Community Organisation of the Year

Marriage Equality
TENI
Gay Men’s Health Service

Employer of the Year

IBM
Google
Ernst & Young

Business Person of the Year

Kerryann Conway
Joe Macken
Lunatic Fringe

Volunteer of the Year

Maureen Looney
Cris Pender
Sinéad Braiden

Journalist/Broadcaster of the Year

Ireland AM
Dil Wickremasinghe
Arlene Harris

Online Award: Blogger/Website of the Year

MamanPoulet.com
Gaelick.com
angryPotato.net

Voluntary Organisation

Greenbow
LGBT Helpline
Running Amach

Noel Walsh HIV Campaigner of the Year

Paula Gilmore
Positive Now
HSN Services Network

National Event of the Year

Alternative Miss Ireland
Stand Up! LGBT Awareness Week
Voices of Children

Regional Event of the Year

Cork Women’s Fun Weekend
Dundalk’s Glória Christmas Concert
Cork Pride Festival

Irish Artist/Entertainer of the Year

Glória
Jaime Nanci
Veda Beaux Reves

International Activist of the Year

Paisarn Likhitpreechakul
Kasha Nabagesera
Michael Donald Kirby
AllOut.org

2011 Person of the Year

Emma Donohue

Setback in fight for marriage equality in Ireland

click here — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:28:13 +0000

UPDATE (23 Oct 2011 at 4pm): Zappone and Gilligan vow to continue with their appeal to the Supreme Court.

The fight for marriage equality in Ireland suffered a minor setback yesterday when the Supreme Court ruled against Senator Katherine Zappone and Dr Ann Louise Gilligan on a technical point.

Sen Zappone and Dr Gilligan are currently appealing to the Supreme Court to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland, having lost their case in the High Court in 2006.

At issue yesterday was a request by the couple’s legal team to challenge an Irish law prohibiting same-sex marriage.

The request asked the Supreme Court to allow a challenge to Section 2(2) of the Civil Registration Act 2004 be formally included as part of the appeal. This Section includes a provision which states that it is an impediment to marriage if both parties are of the same sex.

Sen Zappone and Dr Gilligan’s case, which started out in the High Court, began prior the enactment of the 2004 statute.

In its decision yesterday, the Supreme Court refused the request to have Section 2(2) included in Sen Zappone and Dr Gilligan’s appeal.

The judges noted that although reference was made to Section 2(2) during the course of arguments in the High Court, it was never formally included, nor properly considered by the High Court judge in her ruling.

The Supreme Court also took into consideration the fact that the Civil Registration Act 2004 is a recent statute; that the outcome of its decision yesterday would affect other members of Irish society; and that the respondent in any appeal (in this case, the State) has a Constitutional right to appeal, which would effectively be breached if this new issue could be introduced now.

A date for the full appeal hearing is pending.

See also: Shatter Island?

See also: Shout out loud: Zappone and Gilligan publish their memoirs