Equality for all Relationships
On May 22nd the people of Ireland are being given an opportunity to extend the right to marry to all of the citizens of our Country. The proposed amendment will be worded:
“Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex”
As the Referendum Commission’s Independent Guide informs us, the Constitution does not define marriage nor set out who is entitled to marry. Those rules are determined by the legal system. For a long time in our history, under that same legal system, homosexuality was a criminal offence. It was not until 1993 that homosexuality was decriminalised. Can you imagine what life was like for people of the same sex, people who love each other, to be treated as criminals? Can you imagine what it would be like for heterosexuality to be deemed a crime? Can you imagine what it would be like not to have the protection of the State because of your natural sexual orientation? The Constitution ensures the protection of the basic civil rights of all of the citizens of the State. Society evolves over time and societal structures change and adapt. The Constitution recognises this in allowing for amendments to be added where it is clear that basic civil liberties are being denied to any section of the population.
Marriage is not for everyone. Many people choose to remain single. Some choose to follow a vocation that calls on them to forgo their desire to marry. Some marriages do not work out and, thankfully, the people of Ireland voted in favour of the constitutional amendment necessary to allow their fellow citizens the right to divorce in such circumstances. Some choose to commit to cohabit rather than go the route of a legally binding marriage.
Whatever one’s view, marriage is very popular and celebrated the world over. All cultures have some form of ritual to publicly and legally celebrate a couple’s love for and commitment to each other. Marriage continues to prevail despite the challenges that may be evident in high divorce rates. Despite the possible ups and downs, the financial concerns, the likelihood of stormy waters ahead. According to CSO figures marriage is on the rise. Couples are getting hitched in all sorts of new and innovative ways; on mountain tops, on rooftops, in fields, in barns, on beaches, in forests, along with all of the traditional venues.
So what is so attractive about marriage? Is it something innate that drives (most) of us to marry? What possess us that we want to forsake the safety of our familiar families and throw our life lot in with a relative stranger? Psychologist Carl Jung described marriage as one of the great archetypal events of life, up there on a par with birth and death. Archetypes are pretty strong life forces. In marriage we seem propelled to lift our love for each other above the ordinary as each publicly proclaims to the other that “you are the one”, “we choose each other over all others”, “For better or worse”, “richer or poorer”, “in sickness and health”, “legally and binding”. Yes there are those that may think this is insanity and they are probably right! Crazily and madly in love; couples are driven to say “I do”. (Who doesn’t shed a wee tear at weddings?)
So why oh why would we continue to deny this wonderful, powerful life enhancing event to sections of our society? Why would we want to deny our fellow citizens the right to say “yes” to each other? Why would we continue to support inequality? Relationships Ireland supports Marriage Equality.
And don’t worry, if the seas get stormy, we’ll be there to help. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. We also offer One-on-One Marriage Preparation Courses which are suitable for LGBT couples, those of you having a Humanist Ceremony, Religious Service or a Civil Partnership. Click here for more details!