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Lgbt Blood Ban Campaign <USIBloodBanCampai>

	Election looming - gay rights on the lips of candidates	935 days ago
	“VOTERS NOW ATTACH UNPRECEDENTED IMPORTANCE TO GAY ISSUES” – USI Union cites voters’ strong support as “stakes are raised” on Gay Marriage 4 May 2007 The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has warned that “historically unprecedented” levels of public support have “raised the stakes” on gay marriage as a General Election issue. Last Wednesday (2nd May), RTÉ’s Prime Time1 highlighted the inequality experienced by same-sex couples. Commenting, USI said the programme revealed a need for urgent action to allay the uncertainty that exists for children in same-sex parent families. The difficulties facing gay couples in which one partner is a non-EEA national were also highlighted. USI called on all the political parties and candidates to “re-prioritise” their commitment to equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Candidates must pledge new same-sex Marriage and Gay Adoption rights, USI said, or “bear responsibility for causing voter cynicism”. USI gay and lesbian spokesperson Steven Conlon said: “The level of public support for absolute gay equality is historically unprecedented. It betokens an adamant desire by Irish voters to see the next government stand at the forefront of the global equality movement by legislating for same-sex marriage and gay adoption. “Public attitudes have shifted dramatically in the direction of human rights, and the 30th Dáil is an opportunity for Ireland at last to recognise those innate rights in all its citizens. “Successive Governments have failed to protect the human rights of gay couples in this country. Such failure does not protect families. Furthermore, the absence of progress on adoption and inheritance legislation has ensured the continued vulnerability of children in same-sex parent families. “USI is throwing down the gauntlet for all the political parties to step up to their duty as public representatives to affirm the human rights of all Irish.” Colm Hamrogue, President of USI said: “Voters indicate a real unwillingness to support any government or candidate that ignores the basic human rights of family members and friends. Voters won’t stand for it. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people are our brothers, sisters, friends, and even our mothers and fathers. “USI is urging voters to ask hard and pressing questions of candidates when it comes to the advancement of equality in this country.” Ends Note to editors: 1 See www.rte.ie/news/2007/0502/primetime.html
	posted by Lgbt Blood Ban Campaign