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CAMPAIGN GROUP THE Gay and Lesbian Equality Network have paid tribute to Albert Reynolds as a man who helped start the “great transformation in the status of lesbian and gay people” in Ireland.
GLEN chair Kieran Rose said the former taoiseach, who died in the early hours of yesterday morning aged 81, had left a lasting legacy in making Ireland a fairer place for the lesbian and gay community.
Reynolds was the leader of the Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition that made the first legislative steps towards ending discrimination against gay and lesbian people — passing legislation which finally decriminalised homosexuality in 1993.
“That Fianna Fail/Labour Government also passed legislation protecting lesbian and gay people in employment, one of the first countries in the world to do so,” Rose said.
As Taoiseach he agreed the programme for that government which included equality legislation that was later enacted — and which now provides powerful protections against discrimination for lesbian and gay people in Ireland.
Draconian laws
The 1993 legislation [officially called the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) 1993 Bill], when it was finally introduced, removed Victorian laws from Ireland’s statutebook which criminalised sexual acts between men.
It followed a long legal battle which began in 1977 when David Norris began a case against the draconian laws.
The case came before the High Court in 1980, where it was rejected, and before the Supreme Court in 1983, where it was also rejected by five judges who found that the laws which made homosexual acts a crime did not contravene the Constitution.
Norris, with the help of Mary Robinson, then took his case to the European Court of Human Rights — where judges finally ruled that the Irish laws contravened the Convention on Human Rights.
David Norris and Mary Robinson, pictured in 2007.
Five years later, the laws were changed. And in the intervening two decades, that move has been followed by a series of other reforms — including domestic violence protections and civil partnership legislation.
A referendum on legalising same-sex marriage is to be held in the first half of 2015, with initial polls indicating the change will be passed.
Tributes
Reynolds, who entered politics at the relatively late age of 44, led the country as Taoiseach in two separate terms between 1992 and 94 — first with the PDs and then with Labour.
Figures from across the political divide have been paying tribute to his achievements — and in particular his contribution to the peace process.
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Forced to do so by Europe. Credit is solely to Senator David Norris for taking a case to the European court of Human Rights.
I disagree, he was a pragmatist and he also made his first fortune in the entertainment industry – which has rarely been unsympathetic to individual proclivities – even ones beyond the pale (Glitter, Saville et al).
I am quite certain that he was probably of his time in terms of his level of comfort with it as an idea (being gay) but he did three things and it’s unfair to deny him credit for it:
a) he realised that this was out of synch, unproductive and unenforceable
b) he realised that Ireland had to comply with the ECJ ruling and much like a compliance issue in a factory he simply went about implementing it; and
c) like John Bruton on divorce (on which he led the yes campaign but said at all stages he personally was against it as an orthodox catholic) he understood he was in high office and had to set aside any personal views and prejudices he had (to the extent possible) and exercise his power for the common good where possible.
The journal.ie on its agenda here again.
Yeah, how dare they have concern for peoples civil rights! Down with that sort of thing (mary does have a lovely bottom though)
He was Taoiseach at the time but it wasn’t a cause he was interested in, don’t know why Glen are trying to rewrite the past.
With the marriage equality issue staring Ireland in the face, perhaps GLEN took the opportunity to highlight the long, slow journey that took us to this point.
And it may be a tactic by GLEN to send friendly signals to unsure FF activists who may be wavering over that gay marriage thingy that’s due next year.
Tomboktu, its not gay marriage, its marriage equality.
I don’t gay brush my teeth, I certainly don’t plan on gay marrying.
Ailbhe…you should totally try gay brushing your teeth, they feel FABULOUS afterwards. ;)
Same old irish journalism, politicians are all of a sudden superheroes and responsible for all things good as soon as the die
And there it is. What took you so long?
Completely agree. Disproportionate attribution of credit for something that Albert was reportedly very uneasy with. Most will remember him for bigger things than this story, I hope.
And that’s a good thing ?
Mind you, his government did start the process towards decriminalising homosexuality – I wonder will we see a token brought up to the table about that? I would imagine not!!!
Are we looking to make him a saint or what!
have your say