A chara, – The article by Eoghan McDermott ("Yes side need to draw on emotion", April 1st) underlines how poor the level of debate about the marriage referendum has been – on both sides.
Both emotion and reason play a part in the outcome. Emotion and “pathos” are humanly important; but for wise legislation, clear reasoning must be the guide. This is where the Yes side fails.
The referendum attempts to deal with the situation of same-sex couples.
This is a fact of life, and the State needs to address it. People who identify as gay and lesbian have not been treated with respect.
The Government, however, offers us just one possible remedy: simplistically to subsume same-sex relationships under the same umbrella as heterosexual marriage. This despite the biological and human differences, as seen for example in the prohibited degrees of relationship which rationally relate only to heterosexual couples.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs James Reilly and Minister of State for New Communities Aodhán Ó Riordáin have played the “fear” card: a Yes vote will show we are tolerant.
The implication is that a No vote will prove we are intolerant; we must not let the world judge us to be such.
The reasoning is faulty, and is unworthy of our Government.
A No vote is not evidence of intolerance. It says that this is not the wise solution.
The Government has not addressed the possible legal consequences of its proposal. To accept it means we will have no rational ground for refusing to extend “marriage equality” further.
They may insist it will never happen, and that may be the case; but 10 years ago, who would have forecast the state of debate today?
There are other, better solutions, which would respect both pathos and reason, and which would honour the distinctiveness of the each kind of relationship.
For whatever reasons, our government has failed in its responsibility. – Is mise, PÁDRAIG McCARTHY Sandyford, Dublin 16. Sir, – In response to Eoghan McDermott’s article (“Yes side need to draw on emotion”, April 1st) I wish to add my voice to the Yes side, and ask you to please vote for this referendum.
I am 29 years-old, and currently I witness so many of heterosexual friends, colleagues and family members happily and rightfully accessing their right to marriage with the one they love.
Along with my genuine happiness for them, I feel slighted by the country I was born in, the country I have made my home and pay my taxes in and contribute to, that to officially seal the love I have for my partner of four years, I must access an inferior legal protection, one that is not recognised by the constitution of my beloved country.
My partner and I live and love as equals to any of our friends and colleagues, our love does not threaten or interfere with anyone else’s.
Please Ireland, vote yes so we can experience the equal legal status and inclusion that has eluded same-sex couples up to now. – Yours, etc, REBECCA MURPHY Whitechurch, Co Cork.