The couple’s appeal in their current case had been due to take place June 19. In November 2004, the couple were granted leave by the High Court to pursue a claim to have their September 2003 Vancouver marriage recognised for the filing of joint tax returns in Ireland.

Mr. Justice Liam Mckechnie remarked that the case was significant and would embrace far-reaching issues touching many aspects of society.

The Government contested the case on the basis of advice from the Attorney General that it would prevail.

The case attracted wide coverage from international media such as The Boston Globe and the couple were interviewed on The Late Late Show. The judgment was delivered on December 14, 2006.

With Ms. Justice Dunne finding that although a ‘living document’, the Irish constitution had always meant for marriage to be between a man and a woman, that the definitions used in the Civil Registration Act of 2004 was an expression of the current attitudes of the state and that she could find no reason to change that.

She also found that the constitution did not violate the plaintiffs’ rights under European law. The judgment did say, however, that the topic is very much in the news and that there were undoubtedly difficulties and hardships for same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples.

The couple were in the process of appealing this in the Supreme Court when news broke on June 6 that fresh proceedings will be issued in the High Court in order to challenge – among other issues – the constitutionality of the Civil Registration Act 2004 which marked the first time marriage was defined in Irish statute as being between a man and a woman and the Civil Partnership Act which prohibits people who have registered a civil partnership from marrying.

The Irish Constitution does not currently include a definition of marriage, but does include a commitment to equality for all citizens. LGBT organisations have come out in support of the couple who have taken on the fight for civil mar-

riage as well as civil partnership. The outcome of the case will have a huge impact for young people who are attending groups such as MUI in the future. From speaking to some of the young people in the group it is evident that MUI is a group that is open, inviting and a great source of comfort and information.

‘You can be yourself! I don’t have to hide who I am anymore, one girl from the group explained, ‘people understand me here’.

A young man said, ‘I’ve never felt so comfortable in a group. I feel like I can talk about anything without being judged, in a safe environment. I can be myself comfortably. The group is a great place where teenagers can go to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun.’

Since the establishment of MUI the group has covered a wide range of activities, such as team building, youth leadership training with ‘Belong To’, creating a Facebook Page and making a rainbow for the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Another member commented, ‘Workshops such as mental health have been covered and we are planning to cover things such as ‘coming out’ and LGBT Sexual Health.’

We’re also planning to go to Waterford Pride Week to give a presentation on mental health to other LGBT groups all around the country.’ This up and coming new group are really enjoying getting involved in local and national initiatives and look forward to their meeting spot in the Vault Carlow every second week. Support groups such as MUI are important because there are many questions a young person may have surrounding their sexual identity. For example, why you choose a particular person or persons to come out to, when is the right time to express how you are feeling, where you decide to tell the person as it’s important to be in a safe environment and what resources are out there should you need to avail of them.

MUI is the first group of its kind in Carlow which means many teens will now have the fantastic opportunity to engage with other teens in fun, safe surroundings. Leanne Sweeney, youth worker and coordinator of the MUI group said,

‘We meet every second Thursday night from 7 till 9 in the Vault in Carlow town. We are now encouraging anyone who is LGBT and of secondary school age to join this fun and confidential group.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the group, then please contact any of the youth workers in the Vault on 059 9133714 or you can phone or text Leanne on 0852722379. You can also follow the group on Facebook at Mui Carlow.