Ireland's Christmas Gift to New York's Couples

The nation of Ireland has a Christmas gift for lesbian/gay married couples in New York state:  the Emerald Isle will recognize their legal relationship.

IrishExaminer.com reports that a government order has paved the way for this recognition, and it will take effect on Christmas Day.  Married same-sex couples from New York will be recognized as civil partnerships in Ireland, which allows for tax and immigration rights, among other things.

This is great news, coming from the pre-dominantly Catholic nation.  There is only one black cloud in this silver lining, which reminds us Americans that federal marriage equality is needed here:

“However a similar couple based in Ireland would not have immigration rights to New York as civil marriage in New York is a state law and does not include federal rights, such as immigration.”

–Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry