Thanks for the reply.

I don’t think it is a rumor. I got an email from LGBT Noise about that. However, I need to quote some of their email here:

‘Demonstrating against this bill is about showing our elected representatives that Ireland’s LGBT community should not be forced to participate in it’s own discrimination by accepting, out of necessity, the measures contained within it. Joining NOISE in protest against the Civil Partnership Bill does not undermine any progress that this bill might represent for some members of our community who will avail of the limited rights within the bill to regularise their legal affairs. We need to continuously remind the Government that they have not done enough until they have actually granted us full equality. As equal citizens, we should have equal access to the various institutions of the state including the civil institution of marriage.’

I don’t think that’s a shift in ‘thematic direction’. I agree with LGBT Noise that it is important to not be afraid to remind the Government that they have not done enough. If anything, I think the campaign for marriage has highlighted the deficiencies in the bill that might not have generated a lot of media/discussion in the absence of such a high-profile campaign.

That was certainly the most controversial line of the speech in some ways, and I’m surprised that you are the first who has picked up on it.

I certainly don’t feel I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth, but simply giving my personal opinion as frankly as possible. Until now, all of the events that have been organised have been based around the theme of Marriage Equality (eg. the March for Marriage on 9th August).

However, rumours now abound that there will be a protest against the CP Bill when it is being debated in the Dáil. I believe this is a shift in thematic direction, and one that is misguided.

Just saw this. Good speech except…:)

‘I hold no truck with those who would protest against Civil Partnerships, as I think that is a negative stance which will only serve to divide our community. However, I applaud those who continue to mobilize in favour of same-sex marriage.’

I think you are talking out of both sides of your mouth here Niall.

A convincing campaign for marriage equality necessities a tactical insult of the CP bill. That position doesn’t represent a rejection of some rights now in the form of CP for people who need it. It is unfortunate that members of the LGBT community need to be put in this position and it doesn’t need to be celebrated. Applauding people who ‘continue to mobilize in favor of same-sex marriage’ while ‘hold(ing) no truck with those who would protest against Civil Partnerships’ is also strange given that all the mobilisation I have seen does both. To do otherwise would be tactically ridiculous.I think things are a little more complex that your statement above implies. My view anyway!

Well done!