Gay Rights Protesters Chain Themselves to Dáil

Photo Paula Geraghty

This morning (Dublin 25th June) activists from gay rights pressure group ‘EQUALS’
chained themselves to the gates of Dáil Eireann on Kildare Street in protest to the Governments proposed Civil Partnership Bill.

Volunteers from the non-violent direct action group used chains to lock onto the main gates of Government buildings and unfurled a rainbow flag with the words ‘Marriage Rights Are Equal Rights’. The group says that the Government’s proposed Civil Partnership Bill creates a two tier society where gay people and their families are treated as second class citzens. EQUALS spokesperson, Lisa Connell commented, “We are all equal and deserve to be given the same right as straight people to marry the person we love” adding “We won’t leave here until Brian Cowen takes equality seriously”  

The action comes just days before the annual Dublin Pride celebrations when thousands of people are expected to march through the streets of the capital.

EQUALS say, that a recent poll shows that 81% of Irish believe that everyone should receive equal treatment from the state regardless of sexuality and six out of ten people believe that denying marriage to lesbians and gay men is a form of discrimination.[1]

EQUALS is an independent, non-violent campaigning group that acts to change attitudes and behavior by promoting fairness for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people living in Ireland.

Click here to see more photos of the protest by Paula Geraghty