In 2015, Ireland voted for marriage equality. That was a huge step forward in the fight for equality. Most people assumed that marriage equality would extend to the whole LGBT+ family, but sadly this was not the case. New legislation was introduced in May of 2020 (the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015). This was an historic move, years in the making, which saw the very first children of LGBT+ families having both of their parents recognised in law.
Unfortunately, only those who meet the very narrow criteria for the CFRA will be able to avail of it… meaning that all other children of LGBT+ parents are left behind. While no formal studies have been conducted to determine the numbers affected by this issue, we can estimate that approximately 60% of all families are left behind. Children who are left in a legal limbo and in a grey area of the law… where no person should ever have to exist.