My blog has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds. If not, visit
http://declancashin.com
and update your bookmarks.

Monday, March 02, 2009

As long as a committed gay couple can't get married...

Maybe I'm in a crabby mood this Monday evening, but does anyone else find the concept of this competition repugnant? And inappropriate? And offensive?

Gay people, in particular, should be up in arms, not to mention the opponents of gay marriage, like the Iona Institute, who are out to protect marriage from the apparent degradation that same-sex couples are seeking to bring to the revered institution. I think it's pretty clear just from this competition, and a similar one conducted by 98FM back in 2004, that the straights are doing a pretty good job of that themselves.

For doesn't this tacky gimmick not demonstrate a blatant disregard for and cheapening of the institution of marriage?

A gay couple that have been in a meaningful, loving, deep-rooted relationship, perhaps for years or even decades, like Drs Katherine Zappone and Anna Louise Gilligan, will have to drag their private life through the courts, at their own expense, in order to receive the legal and formal entitlements that were so frivolously granted to two complete strangers, who will marry, essentially, on the basis of a blind date.

Without even knowing each others' favourite colour or their middle names, the winning couple can completely exploit a legal avenue denied a loving gay couple.

There was a mute reaction to 98FM’s prize a few years back, and there has been no objection to this prize either, so law-makers and the Irish public should have no problem with allowing gay people to formalise their relationships with a civil ceremony.

After all, if two total strangers can just avail of the option, with no regard for the subsequent taxation and legal consequences, or social ramifications, and all to zero public outrage or consternation, what’s the hold-up with granting that right to a committed gay couple?

Do I have a point? Maybe someone from the opposing side could respond. I'm writing to Iona as well as MarriagEquality to get their views on this.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree, it's totally crazy. Two lifelong partners deeply in love with eachother can't marry, but a couple of idiots who've never met can go and get hitched, simply because they are different sexes. This exposes the anti-equality arguments for how ridiculous they really are.

Declan Cashin said...

It's an amazing double standard alright. Never knew you were a blogger too Daragh

Anonymous said...

Yours is a new angle on the "it's just a bad and degrading idea for a radio competition" angle, Declan.

Totally agree.

Anonymous said...

This is a bit of kick in the gums for gay couples, for sure. Although what bothers me about this competition is the fact the radio station is going to be exploiting the two lonely, crazed idiots who will actually go through with this. The larger question I think this competition raises is this; how desperate for love must you be to expose yourself to something as tawdry and public as this competition?

Declan Cashin said...

I agree Alan - I wonder if the couple who married through the 98FM comp are still together?

The basic attitude underlining it all is: 'sure, if it doesn't work out, we can always get a divorce'.

Which begs the question: if they anti-gay marriage brigade are so intent on "saving traditional marriage", why aren't they concentrating their energies on overturning the result of the 1995 divorce referendum?

Anonymous said...

Yea I've only just set up a blog Declan - I felt left behind so had to do something!

Thanks for adding it to your links :)

Anonymous said...

Well Declan there is always the option of getting married here in Canada. We love a good love story.

What are the chances for same sex marriage in the republic?

Declan Cashin said...

Haha, there could be a lot more Irish people - gay and straight - in Canada soon if the economy keeps tanking!

Chances of same sex marriage here are very slim methinks. Civil partnership for now - perhaps in a generation things will be different