Germany Needs to Learn From Ireland
In view of today’s result of the Irish referendum on the introduction of same sex marriage, Arne Brix, member of DIE LINKE party executive committee, declares:
The clear majority for a legal equality of homosexual couples is a great success for the Irish civil society and a strong signal for Europe. Homophobia and violence against lesbians, gays, and transsexuals are still broadly common in Europe, mainly in those countries where they are legally discriminated against. That is why legal discrimination needs to be decidedly fought in the whole of Europe.
The Irish referendum emphasises that there is still considerable pent-up demand regarding equality issues. In Western Europe we come in last in questions of equality of homosexually oriented people. Germany can learn from Ireland. The conservative parties eventually have to give up their blockading position and open the way for complete legal equality, also concerning adoption rights.