DUBLIN, June 21, 2008  –  The Union of Students (USI) last night urged for a push for equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian citizens ahead of today’s Dublin Pride Parade.

USI called for all Irish people to “stand up” and show their support for equal marriage rights this summer.  USI said students were issuing a clear message to the Government: “It’s time to legalise equality”.

Dublin Pride Parade is part of Dublin Pride Festival, an annual event endorsed by USI in which thousands of students participate each year.

“To mark Pride 2008 USI is issuing a clear message to the Government: remove the gender qualifications on marriage,” USI equality office Ryan Griffith said last night.

“The campaign for equal marriage rights is a campaign for human rights.  The law debarring marriage to gay and lesbian citizens violates the fundamental human right to marry.

“The Irish Government must now follow the example of other EU countries and legislate for equal marriage rights.

“Civil partnership legislation will be a step forward, but equality will only be realised when gay and lesbian people have equal access to the institution of marriage in Ireland, as they do elsewhere in the EU,” he added.

USI LGBT Rights Officer Rob Doyle added: “Dublin’s Pride Parade is a chance for all of us in Ireland to reflect on the march of human rights and the battles still to be won.

“While campaigning for equal marriage rights this weekend, students will also be celebrating the core goals of Pride: diversity, inclusiveness, and increased visibility and mutual respect.

“Homophobia is a curse, but Ireland is fighting back.  We call on the Government to legalise equality.”

Dublin Pride Parade, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, gets underway at 2.15pm today from the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square (assemble at 1pm). It follows the traditional route

SEE ALSO

Dublin Gay Pride 08 Will Be “One to Remember” – Lord Mayor.  More than 10,000 people are expected to take part in tomorrow’s Pride Parade in the Irish capital.  And Dublin Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke predicts it will be “one to remember”.  (UK Gay News, June 20, 2008.

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Posted: 21 June 2008 at 00:00 (UK time)