Ireland Recognises Foreign Gay Marriage and Partnerships

It is interesting - and saddening as well - to watch as more and more nations of the world recognize same sex relationships either in the form of full marriage or in some form of civil union or domestic partnership. Meanwhile, the United States remains in the sway of Neanderthals who subvert the U.S. Constitution and make a mockery of the false promise of freedom of religion. Sadly, only those who conform to a falsely claimed "biblical" form of marriage are given legal equality. Unfortunately, it seems part and parcel with the increased embrace of ignorance and anti-modernity that can be seen in calls for treating creationism under the guise of intelligent design taught as science and the regression of society back toward segregation and intolerance. Driving this slide backwards are the Christianists and their GOP and Tea Party allies who will prostitute themselves to the basest elements in order to hold political power. In contrast, Ireland is now going to recognize foreign gay marriages and domestic partnerships as it prepares to grant Irish same sex couples partnership rights. It's an example of a nation once thought backwards leaping ahead of America and the power of the Catholic Church rightly dying out. Here are highlights from Pink News:
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Gay couples living in Ireland who have married or had a civil partnership abroad will be recognised as civil partners from today. The change is part of Ireland’s new civil partnership laws, which give gay couples almost all the rights of marriage.
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However, couples who wed in countries where gay marriage is legal will find their unions downgraded to civil partnerships. And some unions, such as French PACS, will not be recognised because they are deemed not to offer as many rights as Irish marriages or civil partnerships.
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Unions from 27 countries or states will be recognised; 17 of which currently give gay couples the right to marry. Couples will be automatically considered as civil partners and will not need to register.
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Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network said: “Same-sex couples who have already celebrated their relationships and made formal commitments to each other by having a civil marriage or civil partnership in another country will today have those relationships recognised in Ireland. This recognition will provide significant protections for these couples.” The first Irish civil partnership ceremonies will take place in early April.
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With both of my parents now gone, the question will be whether the boyfriend and I remain in the U.S. once his elderly parents have passed on. In my view, the USA is a nation in severe decline and which instead of embracing the future is too often either sliding back towards old prejudices or refusing to treat all of its citizens as equals. Added to the mix is a wealth disparity that would shock many in what were once viewed as banana republics.