Sir, – I agree with Breda O’Brien’s contention that opposing gay marriage is not necessarily bigoted (Opinion, April 20th). The columnist makes a deft argument to justify her opposition to granting the right to marry to same-sex couples.
The argument is, however, based on an entirely unfounded assumption and therefore draws conclusions that are specious. The indicators for parents who effectively promote the healthy development of their children and protect their fundamental rights include showing the child unconditional love, protecting the child from harm, ensuring the child’s access to a good education and providing a stable family environment. Both intuitively and based on sound empirical research, the gender of the parent or parents is not an indicator that carries any weight in relation to a child’s wellbeing. The American Academy of Pediatrics published a technical report just last month, based on over 30 years of data and research, which confirmed that what is relevant for children is the parental competence – and not the gender or sexual orientation – of those who take care of them.
Marriage indeed provides the most stable environment for bringing up children, regardless of whether it is contracted between two people of the same sex or opposite sexes. A steadily increasing number of countries, from France to Uruguay, have recognised this and granted the right to marry to same-sex couples, thus contributing to a safe and healthy family life for countless children in their jurisdictions. It is time for Ireland to join them. – Yours, etc,
Dr CLAIRE HEALY,
Margaretenplatz,
Vienna, Austria.
Sir, – I was heartened to read, having recently entered into one, that Breda O’Brien (Opinion, April 20th) has no difficulty with civil unions, “although it does not chime with [her] personal beliefs”. Less encouraging though for us fledgling homemakers is her attitude to gay adoption; to be tolerated in circumstances “when the only alternative is to spend life in a loveless orphanage.”
Like Ms O’Brien, I too “was not going to write about gay marriage . . . but I have changed my mind, because not to do so would be completely lacking in courage, and to bow to a consensus that is proud of lacking in respect for the arguments [and difference] of others”. However, it needs to be said that her argument that “thoughtful conservatives are not bigoted, or intellectually inferior, or vile” equally applies to liberals – sometimes though, even the most thoughtful (Fintan O’ Toole, Opinion, April 16th) simply run out of patience. – Yours, etc,
DENIS LOOBY,
Goldsmith Street, Dublin 7.