Madam, - Patricia Casey (March 3rd) cites two international studies to support her argument against allowing gay and lesbian people to marry, on the basis of their unsuitability as parents.
In that regard, could I refer her to studies by: the American Academy of Paediatrics; the American Psychological Association; the Australian Psychological Association; the Canadian Psychological Association; the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK); the National Association of Social Workers (USA); and the American Psychiatric Association, among many many others, all of which state that children raised by gay and lesbian parents are in no way disadvantaged.
In fact, these studies reveal that the fears raised by opponents of gay and lesbian marriage in regard to parenting have no basis in reality whatsoever.
I recognise that for many Irish people, the idea of gay and lesbian couples raising children might be a new one. But the fact remains that for many years same sex couples have been parenting and raising children in loving, secure, and stable homes.
These children are denied the rights to have their parents recognised in law in the same way that applies to heterosexual parents.
The only way to address this is to legislate for civil marriage for gay and lesbian people to give them the same rights as opposite sex couples. In that way, both parents and children will be protected in law.
Patricia Casey may cite selective pieces of research to back up her case, but the net result of her argument would leave children and parents abandoned and outside the law.
Is that really what she wants? - Yours, etc,
GRÁINNE HEALY,
Co-Chair,
MarriagEquality,
c/o Hogan Ave,
Dublin 2.
Madam, - It is unfortunate, in my view, that the recent debate on same-sex marriage has concentrated on child-raising by gay couples. Most gay couples who are in long term relationships want equality in taxes, inheritance and next-of-kin status. They have no interest in adopting and raising children.
It suits the likes of Prof Patricia Casey and Kevin Windle (March 3rd) to engage in a debate about "gay marriage", with children thrown in as an extra scare tactic. Could we stick to civil partnership and equality please and leave children out of it ? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK O'BYRNE,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - I must thank you for publishing the article by Denise Charlton and Paula Fagan (Feb 25th), on their problems as a lesbian couple with a son, as I had previously been unaware that the case for gay marriage was so weak. The two authors seem to have three main problems: authority for medical decisions, inheritance of the family home, and certain school situations.
For medical decisions, the biological mother could grant her partner a power of attorney for medical decisions, not only for her son, but also herself.
For inheritance, the current tax system can be overhauled to allow any two people who have shared a primary residence for a certain number of years to be exempt from inheritance tax.
And as for the school decisions, this is simply a litany of straw men arguments.
Would any teacher stop a child from making a Mother's Day card for their grandmother, or their step-mother? If the coach only tells one of the ladies about the big game, she can easily inform her partner.
And I don't see how any teacher could prevent a parent from bringing along someone else to a parent-teacher meeting, especially if that other person is closely involved with the student's education.
As the two ladies admit, there are fewer than 2,000 people in the country that may be affected by these situations. If they wish to change a centuries old tradition, they'll need to present a much stronger argument. - Is mise,
LEO TALBOT,
Moy Glas Way,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.