Campaigners are holding a demonstration outside the Department of Health this morning calling for equal parenting rights for LGBTQ+ families.
Ahead of the protest, LGBTQ+ said they feel failed by the Irish government.
The demonstrators warned that currently only one person in an LGBTQ+ family can be a legal parent – which can leave families in an uncertain situation in the event of a bereavement or illness.
They said the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Bill 2019 which is expected to come into force next year will not cater for the many ways in which modern families are created – and will leave parents and children unprotected – despite the 2015 marriage referendum.
And we are off to deliver the petition to @SimonHarrisTD and talk about equality for AlLL of our children. #stillnotequal #rainbowfamilies #riseup #letparentsbeparents pic.twitter.com/391KuYHtpo
— Equality for Children (@equalchildren) October 21, 2019
Campaigner Ranae von Meding said: “We’re tired of sitting idly on an unfulfilled promise by the State which has spanned years, and we’re calling out for help in making our point.”
“Many people think that because we have marriage equality, that everything is sorted out - but it is not.
“We saw how YesEquality brought people together in 2015, because love wins.
“Now we’re calling on the people of Ireland to get behind us to make magic happen once more.”
Great turn out today at @equalchildren demo - LGBTQ families are still waiting to be recognised. My name is not on my daughter’s birth cert & Anne Marie is not on our son’s birth cert. We are married and the State must recognise us! #recogniseboth #stillnotequal pic.twitter.com/hFFLWF6BVr
— Dil Wickremasinghe (@DilW) October 21, 2019
Ms von Meding will meet with the Minister for Health Simon Harris later this afternoon.
She said the new legislation will allow for some same sex couple to both be registered as parents – but only those who conceived in an Irish Fertility clinic using an identifiable donor.
“As it stands, in most cases only one parent in an LGBTQ+ relationship can be a legal parent, which of course is perilous in the event of bereavement, illness and more,” she said.
“The reason why this campaign is so important is because LGBTQ+ parents are currently on the dangerous sidelines of grey legislation.
“We are still not equal, and our children ultimately suffer the most, unless something changes.”
She has recently launched a petition calling for equal rights for same-sex parents which has garnered over 27,000 signatures.
Great turnout & atmosphere at #equalityforchildren protest. No child should be left behind! @SimonHarrisTD @LeoVaradkar @DublinPride @CllrFranTimmons pic.twitter.com/AaDJjc5yRJ
— AlanEdgeIndependent (@EdgeIndependent) October 21, 2019
