First Openly Gay Candidates Elected to Irish Government

The Irish Parliament is set to welcome into its ranks the first two new members to be elected as openly gay candidates, IrishCentral.com reported on March 3.

The two new parliamentarians, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons, are both with Ireland's Labor Party. They will officially take their places in the D�il �ireann, or Irish Parliament, next week, when the 31st D�il convenes following the following recent general election. Their elections reflect a growing acceptance of gays in the country; Hannigan's constituency is rural, but his sexuality did not bother voters, the article noted.

"History was also made in the election of not one but two openly gay" parliamentarians, said Labor LGBT co-chair Paul McConnell. "The election of both Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons as [members] for the Labor Party is a step forward for equality in Ireland and we look forward to their contributions in the D�il."

The precedent of openly gay candidates being elected to the D�il was set following openly gay candidates being elected to the Irish Senate. An openly gay senator, David Norris, is favored to become the new Irish president when the country's current leader, Mary McAleese, finishes her term.

Marriage equality may not be far behind, noted the article: The National Lesbian & Gay Federation has begun a campaign to convince both chambers of the government's legislative branch to work toward full legal parity for gay and lesbian families.

"Fine Gael and the Labor Party have a duty to legislate for equal civil marriage rights for lesbian and gay people," said Ailbhe Smyth, the leader of the NLGF. "Discriminating against lesbian and gay people in this regard is not acceptable."