Irish Civil Partnership Bill Signed into Law

I have focused on Argentina's stunning approval of gay marriage, but civil equality for LGBT individuals has also taken a major advance across the Atlantic in another former bastion of Catholicism - Ireland. Like the case in Argentina, legislators comprehend the difference between equality under the civil laws and religious based discrimination. Something our weak kneed and simpering politicians cannot grasp in the USA as they continue to pander to the worse elements of the Uber-Christians who, if given their way, would over throw the Constitutional protections of all other citizens. The passage of the civil partnerships law in Ireland is another much deserved blow to the Roman Catholic Church which has increasingly lost credibility outside the uneducated populace of third world nations. It is likewise further proof that the USA - self advertised land of freedom and liberty for all - is falling further and further behind the rest of the modern world. The Irish Times has coverage on this huge event in Ireland. Here are some highlights:
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The Civil Partnership Bill, which provides legal recognition for same-sex couples in Ireland for the first time, has today been signed into law. The Bill was signed into law by President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin this morning
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It extends marriage-like benefits to gay and lesbian couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. The act also offers additional rights and protections for other cohabiting couples including a redress scheme for financially dependent long-term cohabitants on the end of a relationship.
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Announcing the signing of the Bill today, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern described it as "one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation to be enacted since independence." "This Act provides enhanced rights and protections for many thousands of Irish men and women. Ireland will be a better place for its enactment," he said.
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The Bill was approved by the Seanad by 48 votes to 4 at 6.30pm on Friday July 9th, having completed its passage though the Dáil the previous week.The legislation was widely supported in both the Dáil and Seanad. The Green Party this afternoon welcomed the singing into law of the Bill.
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"Today is a good day for all Irish citizines. This Act is a significant step forward and a stepping stone towards greater equality in our society, said the party's justice spokesman Trevor Sargent. "I look forward to the first ceremonies that will be held under this Act from next January. They mark an important venture for our society for which we have waited far too long,” he added.

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Obviously, this is wonderful news and provides gay couples another option of where they might choose to emigrate. It also means that anti-gay states like Virginia will be increasingly unattractive places for international businesses from outside the USA to locate since employees would lose important civil law benefits due to the "Marshall-Newman Amendment" which bars the recognition of marriages and civil partnerships that are legal elsewhere. Yet another "victory" for the Christo-fascists at The Family Foundation.