C.H.S. Debates Gay Marriage

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Tuesday October 07, 2003 12:47 by John McGuirk - College Historical Society, TCD mcguirkj at tcd dot ie GMB, Trinity College, Dublin 2 086 083 2011

Society to host leading gay rights campaigners

This Wednesday evening Trinity College’s Historical Society will host a debate on the legalisation of so-called Gay Marriage, featuring leading figures from both sides of the ongoing public debate on the issue.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact John McGuirk, Press Officer 086 083 2011

C.H.S. Debates Gay marriage

This Wednesday evening Trinity College’s Historical Society will host a debate on the legalisation of so-called Gay Marriage, featuring leading figures from both sides of the ongoing public debate on the issue. The debate will be on the motion “That this house supports Gay Marriage” and his being held in conjunction with the college’s Christian Union and LGB societies.

Speaking today, Hist Auditor Alison McIntyre was enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing the issue to the attention of the students of Trinity. “Obviously this is a massive issue at the moment in Britain, where a bill legalising so-called civil partnerships is currently going before the House of Lords, and it is becoming increasingly relevant in Ireland. I am delighted that the Society has the privilege of hosting eminent speakers on both sides of this controversial issue and I look forward immensely to hearing them share their views with Trinity Students”

The speakers on the night will be, for the proposition, the Rev. Andy Braunston, the gay cleric from Manchester who left the Roman Catholic Church to found the Metropolitan Community Church in protest at Rome’s stance on Homosexuality. Rev. Braunston will be accompanied by his partner Iain. Also speaking for the proposition will be Mr. Brian Finnegan, editor of GCN, and UCD lecturer Ailbhe Smith. Opposing the motion will be Mr. Sean Mullen, from the Irish Bible institute, and Pastor John Samuel, of the Baptist church.

The event will begin at 7.30pm in the Graduate Memorial Building, TCD, with a reception to follow at which people will have the opportunity to meet and question the guest speakers.

“This promises to be an excellent and lively debate, and will afford all present an opportunity to hear both sides of what promises to be one of the hottest debates of the next few years” Continued Ms. McIntyre. “It certainly will be controversial, and I hope that as many people as possible will come along with an open mind to hear both sides of the argument”, she concluded.