04 Jul 2010
Partnership. Hmm.
So, there was a massive step forward for the Irish LGBT rights lobby this week with the passage of the first ever piece of legislation offering some basic recognition to same-sex couples. An opportunity to rejoice, but I hope, not a time for complacency.
Consider a recent discussion I had with a relative stranger amongst all the giddy glamour of Eurovision in Norway. The conversation eventually turned to the area of gay rights. When I pointed out to my blonde friend that gayness itself was only made legal back home in 1993, he went pale(er). “That's the same year we got partnership rights!” he exclaimed with a look of confusion and pity on his face that most Western Europeans usually reserve for refugees from failed African states. A comparison of legislation in the area of LGBT equality with Norway makes for interesting reading. Outdated anti-sodomy laws were repealed in 1972 (the last Scandinavian country to do so), partnership followed in the early 1990s and at the start of January 2009, Norway became the first Nordic country to offer full marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples.
Let's not therefore, forget how far there remains to go and let's not, forget exactly what partnership means. It is a separate, distinct and unequal institution when compared to marriage, a seat on the back of the bus to use an old civil rights metaphor but a place on the bus no less. It must mean something if it has certain, mostly religiously motivated groups up in arms over its introduction. The claims of the anti Civil partnership/marriage equality lobby are many, but all false and all may seemingly mask a deep seated homophobia.
Take for instance the idea that marriage is an ancient unshakeable unchangeable institution with the main aim of human reproduction. This is astoundingly historically ignorant. In the Middle Ages for instance marriage can be described principally as a business arrangement and a means of climbing the class ladder or a means of cementing international relations. The concept that a marriage can be based on romantic love is pretty new in the grand scheme of things and hasn't thus far led to the ruination of society. The idea that a child requires both a strong male and a strong female parent is particularly perplexing. I see no strong evidence of this be it anecdotal, academic or otherwise. Barack Obama was raised by his grandmother and I think he's doing OK for himself, possibly even as good as his immediate predecessor, who with his stable upbringing by heterosexual parents was at an obvious advantage. Gay marriage with full adoption rights will boost the rights of the child, not diminish them. We all know that there are many children in the care of the state that are crying out for a good home and we all know of many gay and lesbian couples that would be more than willing to offer this. To join these two equations up is smart thinking and prudent economics. To maintain the current situation to satiate dated religious beliefs is barbaric and given that a child that goes through the care system costs the state exponentially through their lifetime, it's also bloody well fiscally prudent!
Perhaps a more disturbing development is the concept put forward by some that this partnership bill undermines a business owners right to freedom of conscience by removing their right to withhold business from a same sex couple. This may very well be logical to some but exactly how logical is it when one takes this train of thought to broader extremes. Should other pieces of equality legislation be unravelled to allow people not to serve mixed race couples or people of different faiths or political belief? Of course not. If one continues down this line one risks dismantling western liberty as we know it. This idea exists solely to mask bigotry.
This debate has brought some unsavoury elements to the surface. If this law is understood as a stepping stone, and I fail to see how it could be understood any other way, then it is clear that the road ahead will not be smooth. It should be remembered however, that just a few short years ago, partnership was thought of as distant and unachievable. We should watch this space with that in mind.