Labour Party moves marriage equality event due to far-right threats

Notices about the intention to stage a protest at the event had circulated on social media

Wntertainer and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill  known as Panti , with burlesque dancer Bella a Go Go, and Andrew Hyland, director of  Marriage Equality, surrounded by supporters at the launch of #ShareTheLove, a crowd-funding   campaign aimed at securing a Yes vote in the  same sex marriage referendum  in Dublin. 
Photograph: Eric Luke
Wntertainer and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill known as Panti , with burlesque dancer Bella a Go Go, and Andrew Hyland, director of Marriage Equality, surrounded by supporters at the launch of #ShareTheLove, a crowd-funding campaign aimed at securing a Yes vote in the same sex marriage referendum in Dublin. Photograph: Eric Luke

The Labour Party has changed the venue of an event marking 10 years since the referendum on same sex marriage after threats from the far right, the party said.

The party issued a notice on Monday afternoon saying the event would now take place in an alternative venue “due to the threat of protest from far-right actors at the original venue”.

Notices about the intention to stage a protest at the event had circulated on social media.

The event, entitled “Ten years of marriage equality – what’s next?” is due to be addressed by party leader Ivana Bacik and former leader Eamon Gilmore, who championed the referendum in 2015 whilst tánaiste in the Labour-Fine Gael government.

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The event was due to take place at a venue in Dublin 8 but has now been moved to another city centre venue.

Labour declined to officially confirm the location and said it was releasing details only to attendees due to fears for the safety of the venue and those attending.

In a notice sent to members earlier, Labour said: “Unfortunately, due to threats of a far-right protest at the Labour Party Marriage Equality event in Dublin 8 this evening, the venue has had to pull out from hosting the event. We completely understand their concerns and the safety of staff must be paramount. The Labour Party is determined however that our event goes ahead and it will take place in a different location. We have been in touch with those who have registered for the event with details.

“We must stand strong. The far right cannot stop us from coming together to celebrate ten years of marriage equality, and they cannot stop us from asking ‘what’s next?’ for LGBTQ+ rights. The events of the last few days have only served to emphasise the importance of that question. No pasarán.”

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy is Political Editor of The Irish Times