This evening, The Mansion House will host Professor M.V. Lee Badgett as she discusses how marriage equality will not harm traditional marriage, ahead of the Marriage Equality referendum.

Professor M.V. Lee Badgett of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will tonight provide evidence on the international perspective on marriage equality ahead of the May 22 Marriage Equality Referendum.

The professor and author will discuss research which demonstrates that no harm will come to the institution of marriage as a result marriage equality being extended to same-sex couples. She is visiting Ireland and is speaking at an event co-organised by Marriage Equality and the School of Applied language and Intercultural Studies at DCU.

Professor Badgett commented, “Extending equal marriage rights to same-sex couples will have no harmful effects on the institution of marriage in Ireland. […] We know that sharing the freedom to marry with lesbian and gay couples will result in increased social inclusion, better health and more visibility which is good for society and will be good for Ireland.”

Moninne Griffith, Director, Marriage Equality said, “Where marriage equality exists around the world, it only has positive effects for families and society.”

Professor Badgett concluded, “The social debate and the lived experiences of gay men and lesbians who can finally marry their partners all suggest that the institution of marriage retains the power to shelter, shape and serve the lives of couples who marry. Opening up marriage to same-sex couples is just the latest step toward renewing marriage’s continuing relevance in the twenty-first century.”

The event will take place at:

The Oak Room, The Mansion House

Thursday, March 19 at 6pm