Where is the Love?

It was a busy day outside Leinster House on February 14th as Bertie Ahern received probably the biggest Valentines Card he has ever been given in his life.

The six foot Valentines card which bore the slogan ‘BErtie MY VALENTINE’ was delivered to the Government building by L.G.B.T Noise. The group, established last November, were campaigning for gay civil marriage ahead of the governments decision to introduce the heads of a Bill for civil unions next month. It is hoped that the Bill on gay marriage will be passed within a year of this.

The card was full of 1000 messages including “Roses are red, violets are blue, give us the chance, to say ‘I do’,” as well as other more serious notes. Gay couples and supporters were urging the Taoiseach and his government to make same sex marriage legal in this country and let them have the same opportunities as heterosexual couples in Ireland.

One member of the group, Mark McCarron, said we are here to show Bertie a little love and want him “to reciprocate the love and grant civil marriage.” He also highlighted the fact that in recent polls around 70% of Irish people were in favour of same sex marriage.

Neither Bertie himself or any other TD or minister were able to come and take the card on behalf of the government. Edward Matthews of L.G.B.T Noise commented on this saying, “ the people we elect to represent us could not come to meet us. This speaks volumes.”

Another campaigner Paul Kenny believes “Bertie had better take heed of the messages on this card, because otherwise the requests of gay people for the right to marry are going to keep getting louder.”