Where do you stand on the same-sex marriage debate?

A constitutional convention recently voted overwhelmingly in favour of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, putting pressure on the Government to hold a referendum on the issue. This week we asked our Facebook friends for their views on marriage equality. Here’s an edited selection of some of the comments we received.

Alan Hammond: Let them marry. Why should the

‘straights’ be the only ones miserable?

Michael Holly: It’s time for equal rights for everyone.

Joe Andrews: I am for marriage equality – hate the term

‘same-sex marriage’!

Barbara Byrne Ellis: Marriage is about love, not gender.

Janine Gallico: Love is a gift no matter who you love.

Elayne Sherlock: Is it not better to be happily married than married the way everyone else thinks you should be? How many same-sex marriages break up compared to mixed-sex marriages?

Lisa Plowman: If a straight couple can get married and fall in love, why should it not be the same for a same-sex couple? They should have the same rights as a straight couple. Love is love at the end of the day, whether you’re man and woman, man and man or even woman and woman. Love comes to us all the same way. The sooner Ireland gets with the times, the better for everyone.

Amy Bennett: Why should anyone have an opinion? Marriage is about two people who love each other, wanting to show the world exactly how much they do.

Deirdre Ward: Don’t see what the problem is. Everyone should be entitled to get married, no matter what sex. Everyone deserves to be happy. There’s enough sadness and badness in the world.

Vincent Houlihan: Those who use Jesus as their shield in this debate conveniently forget some important things: Jesus was born different. He spent his life fighting for change and understanding and was crucified because of those who refused to accept that change was needed. He was crucified by the self-righteous; those who refused to listen because they thought theirs was the only way and refused to let a new day dawn.

Aoife Manning-Hearne: Why shouldn’t it be permitted? Most same-sex couples are probably more committed than some heterosexual couples I’ve met in my lifetime! At the end of the day it is just a formal way of showing your commitment to someone you love – nothing more, nothing less – which in the 21st century everyone should be entitled to.

Eileen Evans: Everyone deserves to have a loved one. Nobody has the right to stop anyone getting married over the age of 18 in this day and age. Everyone wants this to happen. As usual, there are always the bullies who say

‘no, this can’t happen’. Truly, if a man wants to marry a man or a woman wants to marry a woman, it’s nobody’s business but theirs. And like all marriages, they’re the ones who have to live with what should be their decision.

Milana Prinsloo Koster: The old saying is God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve lol.

Bridget Fullam Wright: Everyone needs somebody to love.

Janet Dixon: You cannot help who you fall in love with. I am not a religious person but your Bible preaches to love one another. Therefore, if two people love each other, give them their right to be married and live together in a happy home.

Sharon Donoghue Murphy: Marriage is a commitment between two people. Who marries who should not be up for discussion!

Andrew Kerr: Love makes the world go round. Too much death and destruction at the moment. As John Lennon & Co once said,

‘All You Need Is Love’.

Selina Burrows: It’s here, they’re queer, get used to it. It’s about time the times are changing.

Kerith Miller: Live and let live.

Evelyn Corry: Same sex marriage does not do anyone any harm.

Angela Liddle: I think it’s a disgrace that this country doesn’t allow same-sex marriages. Because these couples have to fight for their rights, it’s possible their marriages would last longer. This country is so backward it’s unreal.

Nella Fae Rowanberry: What a religious time bomb.

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