Press Release - 23 Oct 2006
The findings contained in the Sunday Tribune/Millward Brown survey once again underline the enormous positive change that has occurred in Irish society on the issue of equality for lesbian and gay people.

The survey revealed that nearly two thirds of voters – 64 per cent – support equality in civil marriage for gays and lesbians.

This is a significant increase on the previous survey conducted by The Irish Examiner/Red C survey in February in which 51 per cent indicated support for equal marriage.

“This poll confirms GLEN’s own view that Irish people are fair minded and view lesbian and gay people as equal fellow citizens with equal rights and responsibilities,” said GLEN Communications Officer Adam Long. “The growing visibility of lesbian and gay people and the recognition of our status in the wider community are linked to the solid support for equality in marriage contained in the poll,” said Adam Long.

The issue of adoption was also raised in the survey. GLEN agrees that in adoption, the welfare of the child is the primary consideration and that no one has or should have the “right to adopt”; “The issue here is that same-sex couples should not be excluded from consideration and assessment solely on the basis of their sexuality,” said Adam Long

“It should also be noted that many lesbian and gay people are already co-parenting children and exclusion from the possibility of joint adoption can leave their children unprotected,” concluded Adam Long.

For more information contact:
GLEN Communications Officer Adam Long on 01 4730563/2606 or 087 1319534