IRELAND: Marriage Campaign Launches

The Irish LGBT rights group Noise has launched a new marriage campaign with ads appearing on Dublin's public transit.

A controversial poster claiming “Jesus had two Dads” will appear on Dublin transport today to highlight the continuing campaign for gay marriage. The gay rights group Noise, a group campaigning for marriage equality for same-sex couples, is launching the new poster campaign on Dublin city public transport this Monday. The posters highlight the difference between Civil Partnership and Civil Marriage, pointing out that Civil Partnership, which was recently legalized in Ireland is not equality. The group also unveiled its new-look website to coincide with the launch.

Ireland's civil partnerships law went into effect earlier this month.

IRELAND: Civil Unions Begin

Barry Dignam and Hugh Walsh (above) today become among Ireland's first gay couples to be joined under the nation's civil partnerships law. The law went into effect on January 1st with a three month waiting period.

Theirs is not the first civil partnership to take place here – six civil partnerships have already been registered in the State arising from court-granted exemptions to the usual three-month notice which couples must give to the General Registrar Office. Mr Dignam admitted that when the couple originally found out that they were to be the first gay couple who were to avail of the new regime without first seeking an exemption to do so, they did consider postponing the ceremony given the media attention that would inevitably follow. “We did have an opportunity to move the date but we felt that we would have been cheating [gay] people who had been through an awful lot of hardship – those who had been ridiculed and even jailed in the past,” he said.

PBS..."Celtic Thunder" concert a hit! "It's Entertainment" CD & DVD sets!

I was in the midst of a bit of channel surfing earlier this evening - when a haunting rendition of  "You Raise Me Up" - gently floated out of the flat state-of-the-art television set on the wall before me.

Needless to say, I sat bolt upright, and edged closer to the screen.

In conjunction with a PBS fundraising effort, members of the well-known International band - "Celtic Thunder" - were performing a handful of their signature tunes before a rapt audience (televised live) totally enthralled by their presence.

Understandably, the atmosphere in the packed venue was electrically-charged!

Pretty nubile teens (on the verge of fainting dead-away) excitedly waved publicity stills of their crushes high - alongside older fans - who were inclined to clap their hands and tap their feet in step with the catchy beats.

A standing ovation erupted spontaneously when the band belted out "Ireland" at the end of the vastly entertaining show.

"Celtic Thunder" was back by popular demand.

The success of a prior tour to U.S. shores funded the much-anticipated engagement - which was being billed as "It's Entertainment" - this time around.

On this gig, the band incorporated a few spiffy dance numbers into the mix, however.

For example, in one upbeat moment, the musicians donned tuxedos and proceeded to trip-the-light-fantastic in a choreographed routine reminiscent of those featured in the Broadway hit "Singing in the Rain".

"It's Entertainment appeals to all ages," one of the handsome crooners was quick to pipe up in a KOCE on-air interview in-between sets.

And I liked it, too!

For fans who missed the broadcast, CD & DVD sets are available in lieu of a donation.

Info: 1.800.278.5050

KOCE.org

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