News
When it comes to rearing children, it is the quality of the parent-child relationship which counts and not whether the parents or homosexual or heterosexual, a Consultant Psychiatrist told the High Court today. Overall, studies spanning two decades conducted in the US, England and Europe had not shown that there was any adverse impact on children being raised by gay and lesbian parents.
"Smoking in the home probably damages children more than any of the issues we're talking about," Professor Richard Green, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Gender Identity Clinic, Charing Cross Hospital, London, told the Court as he gave evidence by video link at the case being taken by Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan for recognition of their Canadian marriage.
"Children did well in all the studies," he said. "I find that very important."
He said a study which he had carried out in 1978 showed that the psychosexual development of children of homosexual parents was normal. At that time, he stressed, public attitudes towards homosexuality were more negative than now and the main motivation for the study was to look at whether the stigma attached to homosexuality might have an effect on the children. The level of teasing from peers, even at that time, was minimal.
A significant longitudinal study (stretching from the mid-1970s to 1992) of children of lesbian and heterosexual mothers showed that children of lesbian mothers reported more positive relationships with their mothers' female partners, both as adults and during adolescence, than the comparison group whose mothers had male partners
In another study in 1986 he, and others colleagues, again found no difference in psychosexual development between children of lesbian and heterosexual mothers. He also found that children of lesbian mothers were no less popular than those being raised by heterosexual mothers. A later study (2003) found that there was no difference in the rate of psychiatric disorder between children of lesbian mothers and children of heterosexual mothers.
Finally, he outlined the recent conclusions of the American Academy of Paediatrics' Committee (2002) which reported that no substantial differences were found between the children raised by homosexual parents and heterosexual parents. Lesbian mothers scored the same as heterosexual mothers in "self-esteem, psychological adjustment and attitudes towards child rearing." None of the children had gender identity confusion. Overall the children showed no differences in self-esteem, behavioural difficulties or academic success.
Professor Harry Kennedy, Clinical Director at the Central Mental Hospital, told the High Court today that the stigma of homosexuality can cause mental illness and depression, sometimes leading to clinical depression.
Giving evidence at the case being taken by Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan for recognition of their Canadian marriage (KAL Case), Dr Kennedy, a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, said that homosexuality was no longer considered a medical disorder, as it had been over previous centuries. Since 1973, psychiatric experts had considered it no more an abnormal condition than being young or old, having red hair or being left handed.
"The social consequences of homosexuality can give rise to stress, shame and embarrassment," he said. "In a proportion of people this can give rise to anxiety and depression."
He also outlined that research had established that a lack of social supports for homosexuals, which often resulted in a rise in subcultures, made the community more vulnerable to mental illness particularly depression.
This lack of social supports, and hence, older role models may have a particular effect on young gays and lesbians. Without visible role models of older homosexuals in open, stable careers and relationships, they often find that they have no route or direction follow, he said.
From a rights perspective he explained that the stigma of being gay or lesbian could lead to economic loss, marginalisation and the loss of social supports, adversities which have a direct and indirect effect on mental health.
Furthermore, the constant effort for many gays and lesbians in maintaining a false identity and the fear of discovery of identity could also make mental illness more likely.
Drs Zappone and Gilligan are seeking various remedies before the High Court. In particular, they are seeking a declaration that in failing to recognise their Canadian marriage, and in failing to apply the tax law provisions relating to married couples to them as a married couple, the State and the Revenue Commissioners have acted unlawfully, in breach of their constitutional rights to equality, to marriage, to property rights and family rights and in breach of their rights to privacy, marriage and non-discrimination under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Christianity has never had a single concept of marriage, according to theologian Professor Daniel Maguire, pointing out that Vatican II, for example,
had changed the Catholic Church's view on the institution when it stated that procreation was no longer the primary purpose of marriage.
Presenting evidence at the case being taken by Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan for recognition of their Canadian marriage (KAL Case),
Professor Maguire outlined the many concepts of marriage within the Bible including the concept of polygamous marriage and same sex marriage.
He said there was no regulation of marriage for the first 1000 years of Christianity and that the Church would have only occasionally had a religious
service to mark a marital union – usually the marriage of priests. Marriage was only declared a sacrament in 1215.
"In the present theological realm, it is unfair to have seven sacraments for heterosexuals and only six for homosexuals," he said.
He also said that stigma or discrimination towards homosexuals within the Christian Church only manifested itself in the 14th century.
Prejudice, he said, had continued since.
Professor Maguire is a Professor of Moral Theological Ethics at Marquette University, a Catholic, Jesuit Institution in Wisconsin (USA). He is also President of the
Religious Consultation on Population, Reproductive Health and Ethics.
Drs Zappone and Gilligan are seeking various remedies before the High Court. In particular, they are seeking a declaration that in failing to recognise their Canadian marriage,
and in failing to apply the tax law provisions relating to married couples to them as a married couple, the State and the Revenue Commissioners have acted unlawfully, in
breach of their constitutional rights to equality, to marriage, to property rights and family rights and in breach of their rights to privacy, marriage and non-discrimination
under the European Convention on Human Rights.
To coincide with the first day of the KAL Case hearing in the High Court, a gathering of support will take place on Tuesday, 3rd October at 1:45pm (assemble at 1:30pm).
The gathering is being held to show support for real equality and for the recognition of diversity of relationships and families in Ireland.
Katherine and Ann Louise are taking their case against the Revenue Commissioners and Ireland through the courts; this dignified gathering is intended to display solidarity for Katherine and Ann Louise, and to show the political leaders in the houses of the Oireachtas the public's support for legislative change to recognise all relationships and family forms existing in Ireland today.
Participants are invited to bring along a flower to symbolise hope, love and diversity. It is intended, then, that these flowers be gathered to form a bouquet to be presented to the party political leaders in Dáil Éireann.
Above all else - All are welcome to attend!
For information, contact kalcoord@gmail.com
6.30pm at the offices of GLEN
(Tower 1, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.)
6:30pm Introduction
- The reason for the KAL Platform
- Key KAL messages
6:45 Where things are at
7:15 First day of the case: "Gathering of Support" at Dáil Éireann
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
8:15 Other news, upcomgin events, Q&A
8:30 Conclusion
Download a copy of the agenda here.
August KAL Platform meetings:
KAL Platform Meeting Report - August 2006 (Word file)
KAL Platform Meeting Presentation - August 2006 (PPT file)
The KAL Advocacy Platform will be holding a meeting this week, to introduce supporters of the KAL Case to the case background, key messages and possible tools for advocacy.
Individuals and organisations who support this case are welcome to attend the meeting. Interested parties should contact
kal@glen.ie [9am-1pm Mon-Fri] or kalcoord@gmail.com [all other times].
About the Platform:
The Advocacy Platform has been formed to organise a co-ordinated approach among people interested in supporting the High Court case being taken by Drs. Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan.
The importance of this case is in establishing that Irish families today are far more diverse than provided for within legislation and State policies.
The Platform is being established to involve supporters and builde a coalition of effort - to ensure that people who want to support the case can collaborate effectively together.
The Platform welcomes interested individuals to participate in activities, as well as interested organisations and groups.
For those with queries or an interest in becoming involved, please contact GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network):
Phone (01) 473 05 63 or e-mail kalplatform@glen.ie
Same Sex Couple Taking Case Against State for Recognition of their Marriage Take to the Cinema for Dublin Film Festival
Drs. Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan, the Irish couple taking a case against the state for recognition of their Canadian marriage, will tonight (August 3) open the 14th Dublin Lesbian Gay Film Festival (August 3-7) at the Irish Film Institute at
7.30 p.m.
"Film can push the boundary of current conceptualizations of what it means to be lesbian, gay or bisexual in this world today," Dr. Zappone said. "A number of films on this year's programme look to the past and challenge us to realize that the past is not dead."
"Observing the struggle for lesbian and gay rights at various times and places in the last century immediately challenges us to look at the present in our globe and see either history repeating itself, or struggles for basic human rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people just beginning," she continued
Dr. Gilligan said that while heterosexuals are seeing more movies in the big screen with a gay theme (Brokeback Mountain, etc) the very fact that they reach the 'general audience' signals often a rather bland analysis of the topices under consideration.
"A dedicated lesbian and gay film festival allows a more nuanced set of films to be shown which often shows the depth of prejudice, and of the height of love and joy – that would not otherwise be seen."
The issue of partnership will be examined particularly this year on Saturday, August 5th. Drs Zappone and Gilligan along with others will host a discussion following two short films on the subject.
"These two films clearly challenge us to examine the issues of power, of complicit silence, of difference, of difference of age and culture, of opportunity and how each of these differences must be attended to if equality and rights are to be realised," Dr. Zappone said.
Katherine and Ann Louise will be opening this year's "Look Out 2006!" Dublin Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, on Thursday, 3rd August at 7:30pm.
The opening night is to be a ticket only gala event, with the opening feature film preceded by the official opening of the Festival.
Katherine and Ann Louise will also appear on Saturday, 5th August at 4:30pm as principle speakers at a partnership rights event in the Festival programme.
Come along and support the case for equality!
For details of the Festival, please visit the festival website at www.dlgff.ie
October 3rd, 2006 was today confirmed as the opening date for the case being brought by Drs Katherine Zappone and
Ann Louise Gilligan, the same sex couple seeking recognition of their marriage in Ireland.
The couple said that they are looking forward to a positive outcome to their case despite the news today that a lesbian couple failed in their bid to have their Canadian marriage as a civil marriage in the UK. Drs Zappone and Gilligan said that Ireland now has an opportunity to lead rather than simply follow in the area of social justice.
The UK judge ruled that the marriage of Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson should be recognized as a civil partnership, but not as a marriage.
While civil partnership might allow same sex couples a broad range of marriage-like privileges, it does not confer equality of status and equality of rights on all Irish citizens, Drs. Zappone and Gilligan outlined.
"We are already married," they stated. "The primary way the State can promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of all its citizens – straight and same sex – in financial and familial issues is to open the Irish institution of civil marriage to same sex couples."
They also pointed out that the traditional institution of marriage has in fact changed over time. For example, divorce was introduced in Ireland in 1997 which required a constitutional change. They stated that they are looking for a continuation of this social process of change in marriage so that it can be enjoyed by all members of today's modern society.
Drs. Zappone and Gilligan were married in a civil ceremony in Canada on September 13th, 2003. Their marriage is valid for all purposes in Canada.
At the hearing of their action in October, Drs Zappone and Gilligan will seek a declaration that in failing to recognise their Canadian marriage, and in failing to apply the tax law provisions relating to married couples to them as a married couple, the State and the Revenue Commissioners have acted unlawfully, in breach of their Constitutional Rights and in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. They are also seeking a declaration that the relevant provisions of tax law are unconstitutional and void. If they do not get recognition of their Canadian marriage, they are alternatively seeking a declaration that they are entitled to marry each other in Ireland.
June 7th 2006 -
THE MIDSUMMER BALL was a great success - Click on pic for larger image
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