Last week President Barack Obama endorsed the right of same sex couples in loving relations to get married, and reaction to the news in the Irish community has predictably divided along political lines.
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who will marry her longtime partner Kim Catullo in the city on Saturday, May 19 told the press that the president’s endorsement was “historic” and “a game-changer that made gay, lesbian and transgender people stand a little taller.”
In a television interview with Fox News, Irish American Quinn said that when she and Catullo “walk down that aisle, it’s going to feel like the president is supporting us and that is an amazing feeling.
“To feel that you’re not just supported by your city, you’re not just supported by your state, you’re actually supported by the president of the United States… it’s a feeling of support and affirmation and equality that just wasn't there before the president said this.”
Well-known Irish gay activist Brendan Fay, who first married his partner Tom Molton in Canada when same sex unions became legal there in 2005, told the Irish Voice he was also delighted and moved by Obama’s endorsement.
“Within one hour of the statement going public I started hearing from friends and activists in Ireland, India and Europe,” Fay confessed.
“It’s on the front page of every newspaper across the world. My great hope is that his call for marriage equality translates soon into legislative change in the United States. We need to see an end to the discrimination in law.”
Fay, a native of Drogheda, Co. Louth, says the president’s message of support will reach into the hearts of gay youth, many of whom continue to be bullied and harassed in the nation’s schools and churches.
“In the way a previous generation talk about Kennedy visiting Ireland or Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, to me I will always think of this as a watershed moment as I sat at my desk and watched the news break. This is not just news, this is a historic event with major implications,” Fay added.
Jeff Cleary, the national co-chair of the Irish American Republicans group, was unimpressed with the president’s stance.
“It was hardly a surprise. This idea he was evolving on the issue is a little silly. Anyone with any political acumen could see this coming from a mile away,” Cleary told the Irish Voice.
“He didn’t do this four years ago because he wouldn’t have gotten the nomination. Fast forward now and he’s in the re-election mode, and he had to do it.”
Cleary sees political calculation, not political courage, as the motivating factor in Obama’s announcement.
“I don’t see courage in it. It was natural for him to do it, it was politically expedient. I certainly would never tie the word courage to it,” he said.
“Social conservatives were never going to vote for him. Overall it probably helps him with his base.”
Cleary supports civil unions that grant gay couples the same rights and entitlements of marriage, putting him at odds with the presumptive GOP nominee Romney, who neither supports gay marriage or civil unions.
Cleary says his position on the issue coheres with his own libertarian belief that the government should stay out of people’s lives.
“My own view is I support civil unions. I think gay couples should have every right that a heterosexual couple has in terms of making legal documents and visiting hospitals and making wills,” explained Cleary.
“I’ve lobbied on immigration issues and I could care less what one’s sexual orientation is. A human being is a human being and is entitled to the dignity and rights that every human being should enjoy,” Cleary said.
As a practicing Catholic Cleary added that he sees no conflict between his religious faith and his belief that gay couples should be afforded the same rights and legal protections of heterosexual couples.
Said Cleary, “I’m a Roman Catholic. I respect the teachings of my church. I’m a father and I believe if my son does not get married in the Catholic Church that he’s not really married.
“But I also believe that every American should be treated with dignity and respect and should be treated equally. That’s why I believe in civil unions. Gay people should enjoy the legal rights that heterosexuals have. When you come down to it we’re arguing over a word.”
Fay says that he was astonished by how far and wide the president’s announcement travelled within hours of his speaking out.
“I received calls from my sisters and nephews in Drogheda,” says Fay with a laugh. “They don’t read newspapers or blogs or and aren’t glued to CNN. But somehow President Obama’s statement reached the housing estates of Drogheda.
“They wrote to me, ‘Brendan, it was a great day for yis’ wasn’t it?’ So the message has gotten out. It’s a huge moment. It’s not before time.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.peterson | May 20, 2012, 06:49 PM EDT
I have heard that the Christian Democrats are very upset with Obumma !! GOOD !!
peterson | May 18, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT
hollabackgurl, where you twenty years ago?
hollabackgurl | May 18, 2012, 12:57 AM EDT
SEANSKELLIGS if the 'heterosexual community' aren't ramming their sexuality down gay people's throats then what do you call thirty plus states voting to prevent gays from marrying? What's a wedding ring, a bridal shower, a stag night, an engagement party, what's an episode of any soap opera, any TV drama, most every film ever made? You're too stupid to debate but you could try opening your OWN heterosexist eyes. I want to vote to silence you and prevent you from marrying.
STEVENSTAR | May 17, 2012, 03:19 PM EDT
@@@@@@@seanskelligs | May 17, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT Stevenstar and Ciara: I do live in Ireland and am a solicitor so know exactly what the position is in Ireland. I know for an absolute fact that 73% supporting this is just rubbish. Most people dont really care one way or the other (as do I) but deeply resent peoples sexuality being rammed down their thropat at every opportunity. How come pretty well no straight person discusses their sexuality in public-it is a private thing. However I have yet to meet a gay person who does not go to lengths to tell you they are gay immediately. Frankly I dont care and dont want to know. It is because of this non stop bombardment coupled with the propaganda that most people support it that I am voting against it if there ever is a referendum. I have two brothers and their families who are not voting Obama because he made an election year statement on what is essentially a private matter between two people. Most States have rejected this but the gay community wont accept the democratic will of the people-most recently proposition 9 in California. If a referendum were held now in Ireland there would be absolutely zero chance of it being passed. Who knows if a referendum took place in 20 years but right now there is no chance as those who claimed 70% support for divorce found out.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MATE I COULDNT CARE LESS IF YOU WAS THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST ,,, YOU HAVE A REALLY 'BAD ATTITUDE' GOING ON THERE .. JUST BECAUSE YOUR A SOLICITOR OR WHATEVER DONT THINK U CAN TALK DOWN TO PEOPLE .. AND AS FAR AS BEEN IRISH IF YOUR IRISH THEN IM MICHAEL FLATLEY .. FIRSTLY GAY MARRIAGE WILL BE COMING INTO IRELAND INLINE WITH THE REST OF EUROPE SO YOU'LL NEED TO DROP THAT ATTITUDE AS DONT FORGET ITS ME JOE PUBLIC THAT PAYS YOUR BILLS ...
Bythebay | May 17, 2012, 01:03 PM EDT
seanskelligs, the 73% support for gay marriages in Ireland was a Red C poll conducted in February. The matter will be discussed at the Constitutional Convention, among many other things of course.
Bythebay | May 17, 2012, 12:56 PM EDT
seanskelligs, no straight person of a certain age in Ireland doesn't discuss their sexuality because the Catholic Church so intimidated them not to talk about sexuality from their earliest years. It was considered something shameful. It's not thought that way today among young people in Ireland.
BrianO | May 17, 2012, 12:21 PM EDT
Ciara, it's the un intended consequences of re defining marriage as opposed to defining gay marriage. There is a difference, the same as there are differences in sexual outcomes. My advise (which is worth little) is to support traditional marriage while defining a new definition of same sex marriage. If you want all the legal rights it can be done now.
ciaradexy | May 17, 2012, 12:01 PM EDT
Sean, the sex life of straight people is on every tv show every single day so I think its fair to say that it is in peoples faces. Inter racial marriage was illegal in the US up to not so long ago so how is this any different? Its about civil rights. Are you also against inracial marriages? People like dont think about someones sexuality when you meet them because you used to everyone around you being straight. I have gay friends and I didnt realise a few were gay until I met their other halves or we were talking about relationships. This poll was done here and the majority were in favour. Gay people being allowed to marry doesnt affect you. I know a couple who own a house but if one dies the other has to pay inheritance tax on the others share. Youre a lawyer, why is that ok?
seanskelligs | May 17, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT
Stevenstar and Ciara: I do live in Ireland and am a solicitor so know exactly what the position is in Ireland. I know for an absolute fact that 73% supporting this is just rubbish. Most people dont really care one way or the other (as do I) but deeply resent peoples sexuality being rammed down their thropat at every opportunity. How come pretty well no straight person discusses their sexuality in public-it is a private thing. However I have yet to meet a gay person who does not go to lengths to tell you they are gay immediately. Frankly I dont care and dont want to know. It is because of this non stop bombardment coupled with the propaganda that most people support it that I am voting against it if there ever is a referendum. I have two brothers and their families who are not voting Obama because he made an election year statement on what is essentially a private matter between two people. Most States have rejected this but the gay community wont accept the democratic will of the people-most recently proposition 9 in California. If a referendum were held now in Ireland there would be absolutely zero chance of it being passed. Who knows if a referendum took place in 20 years but right now there is no chance as those who claimed 70% support for divorce found out.
BrianO | May 17, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT
STEVENSTAR, top of the mornin to ya, tis a fine day. JUST LOOKIN ACROOS THE BAY TIS BEAUUTIFUL GORGEOUS DAY IN BOSTON.
BrianO | May 17, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT
Frankly, I don't care what gay or straight people do or don't do. My problem lies in the constant attack on the family unit that we all came from, some families worked some didn't but because we breathe we came from a family. I do not wish to withhold the feeling of family from two people regardless of their orientation. The issue is being used to divide us further, a divided electorate is easier to control.
eiriamach | May 17, 2012, 08:22 AM EDT
StevenStar, do you hear an American accent when you read posts on Irish Central? Is it like the shouting we hear when we read your posts, all in caps?
STEVENSTAR | May 17, 2012, 06:09 AM EDT
@@borefield | May 16, 2012, 09:03 PM EDT Wise up people! There is NO SUCH TITLE AS A GAY MARRAIGE. It' s impossible.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NO YOU WISEN UP .. YOU WHO ..(IN MY BEST AMERICAN ACCENT ' ' I WANNA BE IRISH CAUSE MY GREAT GRANNYS SISTERS DOG WAS IRISH AND IMMIGRATED TO AMERICA 150 YEARS AGO' ..... GET OVER YOURSELF !!! .................. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN AMERICAN IRISHMAN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE ... IRISH BORN HERE LIVE HERE AND DONT SPEAK WITH AN AMEICAN ACCENT EITHER !!
borefield | May 16, 2012, 09:03 PM EDT
Wise up people! There is NO SUCH TITLE AS A GAY MARRAIGE. It' s impossible.
jamthecat | May 16, 2012, 06:10 PM EDT
The commie-christians are at it, again, trying to force their dogma down everyone's throat. If you don't live your life according to what they believe is right and moral, they want to deny you the same legal protections they make damn sure they get to keep. They want the state to make it okay to fire you if your boss doesn't agree with your lifestyle (and we ain't talking just gay, here). They want to tell women what they can and can't do with their own bodies (just like in Communist China). They want to fix it so you won't have a place to live or food to eat if you don't follow their guidelines (just like in the Soviet Union). They are making christianity the 21st Century's version of communism and are out to destroy individual rights and freedoms. Anyone who agrees with these disgraceful people is a traitor to everything Christ teaches and will be held accountable.
STEVENSTAR | May 16, 2012, 06:03 PM EDT
THIS IS FROM WIKIPEDIA IRISH GAY MARRIAGE JUST GOOGLE IT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF SEAN THE MOUTHY YANK .. SO DONT CONFUSE WHAT WE IRISH THINK AND WHAT YOU AMERICANS THINK.. '''A poll in March 2011 (by the Sunday Times/RED C), showed that 73% of people supported allowing same-sex couples marry (with 53% 'agreeing strongly' with the idea), while 60% felt that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children.[38]'''' .. SOURCE WIKIPEDIA FOR ... I REST MY CASE ;-)
ciaradexy | May 16, 2012, 05:58 PM EDT
Seanskelligs, majority in Ireland support it regardless of your homophobia and majority also supported divorce and still do. How does that stick in your throat?
STEVENSTAR | May 16, 2012, 05:53 PM EDT
@@@seanskelligs | May 16, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT He lost seven votes in our house because of this. There is not a snowballs chance of it being legalised in Ireland-it is ludicrous to suggest 73% of Irish people support amending the Constitution....is this the same 73% that reportedly supported divorce in 1984 when the actual vote was nearly 70% against it when it came to actually voting.Eleven years later divorce was passed by 50.9% for and49.1% against. Marriage is between one man and one woma>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT 73& OF IRISH PEOLE DO NOT AGREE WITH GAY MARRIAGE ... THE ABSOLUTE ARROGANCE OF YOU .. TYPICAL AMERICAN .. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BECAUSE IF YOU LIVED IN IRELAND AND READ IRISH NEWSPAPERS YOU IGNORANT YANK YOU WOULD BE WISE TO THE 'FACT THAT 73% % OF IRISH PEOPLE VOTED TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE IN IRELAND AND THERE IS ALSO A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN FAVOUR OF PRIESTS MARRYING .. DO YOU SUMS BEFORE YOU COMMENT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN MY COUNTRY BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR SILLY LITTLE LOUD MOTH COMMENTS AGAIN !!!
STEVENSTAR | May 16, 2012, 05:48 PM EDT
@@@MURPHY KNOW IT ALL Murph46 | May 16, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT HEY STEVEN IF YOU ARE SO RIGHT WHY IS GAY MARRIAGE STILL ILLEGAL IN IRELAND?>>>>>>>>>> GAY PEOPLE HAVE CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS IN IRELAND AND EQUAL RIGHTS AND ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MARRIAGES COMES INTO IRELAND LIKE IT IS LEGAL IN ALOT OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE LIKE SPAIN AND SWEDEN ... ANYWAYS THATS NOT MY POINT MY ISSUE IS WITH THE HEADING OF THIS ARTICLE THE PROBLEM OF GAY MARRIAGE IS NOT WITH IRISH PEOPLE ITS WITH AMERICANS ....... THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS DIVIDED ... I TAKE GREAT OFFENSE TO AMERICANS CALLING THEMSELVES IRISH AND I TAKE OFFENSE TO THIS HEADING AS IT DOES NOT REPRESENT IRISH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN IRELAND ...... IF THIS NEWSPAPER WAS PUBLISHED IN IRELAND OR IF MORE IRISH CITIZENS OVER HERE IN IRELAND KNEW IT EVEN EXISTED AND WHAT IS BEEN SAID ABOUT US IRISH PEOPLE I THINK THERE WOULD BE ALOT OF ANNOYED IRISH PEOPLE HERE IN IRELAND ...
rpbrown | May 16, 2012, 05:34 PM EDT
Some of you are a bit confused about marriage laws in the US. This is not surprising as it is confusing. Yes the majority of regulation comes from the state level, but for a marriage between a same-sex couple to receive all the legal protections granted in the United States, it must be approved on the Federal level. Without this, gay people cannot grant immigration permission to their foreign partners, they cannot receive Social Security Survivor benefits should their partner pass and there are hundreds of other permissions that are not granted. So this means YES, what the office of the President, Congress and the Supreme Court say about marriage on the Federal level makes a BIG difference.
seanskelligs | May 16, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT
He lost seven votes in our house because of this. There is not a snowballs chance of it being legalised in Ireland-it is ludicrous to suggest 73% of Irish people support amending the Constitution....is this the same 73% that reportedly supported divorce in 1984 when the actual vote was nearly 70% against it when it came to actually voting.Eleven years later divorce was passed by 50.9% for and49.1% against. Marriage is between one man and one woman
Bythebay | May 16, 2012, 04:22 PM EDT
How disappointing to see someone hasn't exercised their right to vote for 20 years. In so many countries of the world people are fighting for that right. It should never be taken for granted and the right should always be exercised. One vote can made a difference.
alisaann | May 16, 2012, 04:18 PM EDT
it should be a FEDERAL LAW, making it possible for ALL those of LEGAL CONSENTING AGE can marry those whom they LOVE...either same-sex, hetro-sexual or inter-racial marriage....we're talking about EQUAL CIVIL HUMAN RIGHTS here....LOVE IS LOVE, NO MATTER THE GENDER OR RACE OF THOSE INVOLVED. ALISA
alisaann | May 16, 2012, 04:11 PM EDT
i'm glad the president of the USA came out in support of same-sex marriage....marriage is a CIVIL RIGHT...you need a MARRIAGE LICENSE to get married even in churchs to make it LEGAL....marriage isn't about religion, it's about LOVE...and we shouldn't be making laws according to the bible. alisa
eiriamach | May 16, 2012, 03:37 PM EDT
Talk about "revolving," kaydog1? You should be talking about Romney: When Romney ran for the Senate in 1994, he wrote to the Log Cabin Republicans, "I am more convinced than ever ... as we seek to establish full equality for America's gay and lesbian citizens, I will provide more effective leadership than my opponent." In 2005, he opposed both same-sex marriage and civil unions for gays. Last year, on the Piers Morgan show, Romney answered a question about which gay rights he supported: "Equal rights in employment, equal rights in, I mean, for instance, as the Governor, I had members of my team that were gay." And last Nov. he said, "but certainly I would defend the Defense of Marriage Act which the current president has refused to defend. I believe that the Defense of Marriage Act was well constructed and should be maintained." That last comment tells me that Romney can't read the US Constitution well enough to even think about holding a national office.
eiriamach | May 16, 2012, 03:32 PM EDT
Yes, BytheBay, in 2010, the GOP takeover of the state houses gave liberals, as Obama said, a "shellacking." Conservatives know that they will not be in office long, so they lose no time in enacting the most regressive legislation they can invent. But the November election will restore the will of the people in Wisconsin and some other beleaguered states (I hope). Gallup and Pew polls tell us that the majority of Americans support marriage equality and support is very strong among younger voters. The future is in the hands of the younger voters! We can only hope that they make their voices heard soon.
Bythebay | May 16, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT
eiriamach, 30 of your states have legislated against same sex marriages. That's not equality at all.
eiriamach | May 16, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT
kaydog1, as president, Obama lacks the constitutional authority to make same-sex marriage legal. He ended 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' for the military, and he directed the Dept. of Justice not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act. (Repealing DOMA is Congress' responsibility; nullifying its provisions comes under Supreme Court authority.) Now Obama has used the influence of his office to speak to state legislatures. That's where the battle will be waged. Perhaps Obama can do more, but he cannot accomplish national legalization of marriage equality, and gays and lesbians know that, while you apparently do not know much. Brendan Fay's words about the impact of Obama's support on gay youth state what I believe was Obama's most important contribution on the issue--and perhaps his motive as well.
kaydog1 | May 16, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT
Obama was FOR gay marriage in 1998. Obama was AGAINST gay marriage in 2008. Obama is now FOR gay marriage. That's not 'evolving', that's 'REVOLVING'. I do agree that this is not about getting votes - it is about getting MONEY, BIG GAY MONEY! Donations have been pouring in from gay simpletons who believe that even though Obama gave them nothing to reward their support in 2008, that this time, THIS time, THIS TIME !!! Obama will make gay marriage legal. Well my friends, OF COURSE he will. You just have to send Obama every penny you can scrape together, and then you have to just concetrate REALLY, REALLY hard. Most importantly of all, you have to BELIEVE! HAHAHAHAHA!
eiriamach | May 16, 2012, 01:13 PM EDT
As I noticed in comments on the story about the L.I. Irish lad who's the only boy on his field hockey team, Obama's recent support for same-sex marriage seems to have "outed" people who get their kicks from making homophobic and sexist remarks. That effect, I take it, is evidence that Obama's words influence how people think about equality and justice. PhlutieP and Skibberrean are having hysterical fits as they realize there will soon be fewer people for them to beat up on verbally when LGBTs have full equality under the law. @STEVENSTAR, enough of your sweeping generalizations! The majority of Americans, including Irish-descended ones, support marriage equality. Don't be duped by the bigotry you read in some IC comboxes; read the stats so you won't make simple minded comments.
lokionline | May 16, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT
@Skibberrean
I suppose you haven't noticed that it is Romney who is calling for a FEDERAL constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage...
ciaradexy | May 16, 2012, 12:23 PM EDT
Marriage between gay people WILL be legal in ireland in the next 5 years.
PhlutiePhan | May 16, 2012, 11:38 AM EDT
Chrissie Quinn is the "lipstick lesbian" in her relationship. She wants to be treated like a woman by another woman. She has the political power and wants to be chased and wooed. Actually, she will keep her beloved "on a yo-yo string".
Skibberrean | May 16, 2012, 11:09 AM EDT
Why all this discussion. you people that are quibbling over civil union which should be handled by the states only, this was all a re-election ploy by the liar in chief and nothing else. I have gay relatives and they are not falling for his campaign crap!I,I,I, me, me, me. It is all about Mr. Narcissism and nothing else!
Bythebay | May 16, 2012, 10:52 AM EDT
73% of Irish people in Ireland (not so-called New York Irish who are actually Americans) support Gay Marriage. Why isn't it a law yet? Because DeValera's iron-clad structures gagging the Irish people and assuring the primacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland forbade it. Those structures are being changed and civil marriage laws in Ireland will be enacted following the wishes of the majority of Irish people over the coming months!
EphraimKibbey | May 16, 2012, 10:43 AM EDT
faberm1 - if the government did only "Civil Unions" for everyone and only "Civil Unions" were mentioned in laws in the US, then you are correct there would be equality. However "Marriage" is already written into our laws and I doubt that any legislature is going to replace it with "Civil Union" anytime soon. Having "Civil Unions" for some citizens and "Marriages" for other citizens would be unconstitutional even if all of the legal rights and responsibilities were the same because "Separate but Equal" was found to be unconstitutional in the '60s. The fact that the legal rights granted to the two groups are not the same makes them "Separate and not Equal" and therefore even more unconstitutional. All citizens must be treated equally before the law. Your idea is a sound one but just comes too late.
Bythebay | May 16, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT
American, not Irish. You're not in Ireland New York, you're Amerucan!!
Murph46 | May 16, 2012, 10:27 AM EDT
Steve-Why is Gay marriage illegal in Ireland if you are so righteous?
faberm1 | May 16, 2012, 09:11 AM EDT
From what I understand Gay Marriage is still illegal in Ireland. Ireland permits "Unions between Gays" and that is what we need in the USA. The government never belonged in the business of calling this or that a marriage. I think all citizens (gay or straight) should have a "Civil Union" as a state function and then have a "marriage" if they so choose in a ceremony of whatever faith paradigm they belong to.
STEVENSTAR | May 16, 2012, 08:59 AM EDT
IRISH ? YOU MEAN AMERICANS ARE UNDIVIDED.. OVER HERE IN IRELAND MOST IRISH HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH GAY MARRIAGE A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED THAT 73% OF IRISH PEOPLE HAVE NO ISSUES WITH SAME SEX MARRIAGE... YET AGAIN AMERICANS ARE WAY OFF THE MARK AND THIS IS AN AMERICAN POINT OF VIEW AND ALL THEM AMERICANS CALLING THEMSELVES IRISH GIVE THE REAL IRISH A BAD NAME AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED ... WITH THEIR OUTDATED BACKWARD AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VIEW POINTS WHICH HAVE NO PLACE IN IRISH SOCIETY OR EUROPEAN CULTURE...