GENERAL FEATURES
Davis on LGBT Issues
As part of our series of Presidential candidate interviews, Mary Davis gives her view on LGBT rights.
GCN: What would make you a good president for Irish LGBT people?
Mary Davis: All my life I have been an advocate for equality, fairness and respect.
Since launching my campaign, I have met with many groups, advocates and individuals who represent the interests of LGBT people including BeLonG To. These briefings have given me a good understanding of the issues and challenges which LGBT people face on a daily basis: the right to marry, the issue of bullying and mental health and the rights of children of LGBT people.
As President, I would work hard to increase the visibility of the LGBT community and lend my support to bring attention to and create awareness about initiatives which promote issues which directly affect the welfare and rights of LGBT people.
Do you believe that same-sex couples should have access to equal civil marriage, which would include the equal right to be considered for adoption?
As an advocate for fairness, equality and respect, I believe that same-sex couples should have the same access to marriage rights as any other couple.
I would always approach the issue of adoption from the point of view of the rights of the child. If a stable and loving couple meet the strict criteria for adoption - and can show that they can offer a child a supportive and safe environment to grow up in - then, for me, those are the real criteria that need to be addressed.
The existing children of same-sex couples are actively discriminated against through civil partnerships legislation. Do you agree or disagree with this statement. Why?
While the civil partnership legislation goes some way to giving equal rights to LGBT people, I believe further legislation is required. There is currently somewhat of a legal limbo scenario for children of same-sex couples which needs to be remedied.
I firmly believe in the rights of the child and the need for the Constitution to explicitly protect the rights of all children. I favour a constitutional amendment to include the rights of the child: specifically the right of a child to be heard, the right of a child to be legally represented and the right of the child to have a say in decisions affecting his or her welfare. Families should not be defined by a legal relationship but should be defined by that of being a caring relationship.
What is your opinion on Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act?
I'm not comfortable with any exemptions from the principle of non-discrimination in employment law.
The Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG) have recommended that trans people who are in existing marriages or civil partnerships should be excluded from gender recognition under law. Do you agree or disagree with this recommendation? Why?
I disagree with the recommendation. The hardship this would impose on married partners seems to be to be totally disproportionate to any technical or constitutional considerations taken into account by the GRAG.