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Irish community divided as Obama backs same-sex marriage

Gay pride for some but others see politics at work, as reaction split along political lines

CAHIR O'DOHERTY,

Irish Voice Reporter

Published Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 7:37 AM

Updated Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 7:52 AM

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renton Garris, right, joins other demonstrators showing their support for President Barack Obama as he visits the Paramount Theater one day after announcing his support for same sex marriage, in Seatt

Trenton Garris, right, joins other demonstrators showing their support for President Barack Obama as he visits the Paramount Theater one day after announcing his support for same sex marriage, in Seattle on Thursday, May 10

Photo by AP

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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peterson | May 20, 2012, 06:49 PM EDT

I have heard that the Christian Democrats are very upset with Obumma !! GOOD !!

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BrianO | May 18, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT

hollabackgurl, where you twenty years ago?

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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.

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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 ...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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 !!

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borefield | May 16, 2012, 09:03 PM EDT

Wise up people! There is NO SUCH TITLE AS A GAY MARRAIGE. It' s impossible.

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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.

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