Irish Prime Minister To Address Same-Sex Marriage During Visit By Pope

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar

According to Irish Central, the openly gay Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, will address the issue of same-sex marriage when he meets with the Pope on August 25th in Ireland.

Questioned on what he would say to the Pope about the ignoring of gay families by the World Meeting of Families, Varadkar said he would express “our view as a society and as a government that families come in all sorts of different forms and that includes families led by same-sex parents.”

Pope Francis is visiting Ireland to celebrate World Family Day, but LGBT groups have stated that same sex marriages are being deliberately ignored and treated like they are not families.

(photo credit: Arno Mikkor (EU2017EE) - CC license)

Mike Pence Bans Media From Breakfast Meeting With Openly Gay Irish Prime Minister

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar with Vice President Mike Pence and
Second Lady Karen Pence

After Ireland’s first openly gay leader said he would bring up LGBTQ rights with Vice President Mike Pence at a breakfast meeting, Pence barred media from attending the meeting.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the press before the meeting that he would be bringing up the issue of LGBTQ rights to the veep during the annual St Patrick’s Day meeting at the U.S. Naval Observatory where Pence and his wife Karen reside.

Ahead of the event, Pence stipulated that the media were only allowed to capture the arrival of the pair outside Pence’s residence.

Pence's anti-LGBTQ policies and positions are well known from opposing open service in the military and same-sex marriage to supporting so-called "ex-gay" therapy.

Mr Varadkar expressed disappointment at the media ban but added, "It allows us maybe to have a frank conversation that’s easier to have without the media present."

Karen & I were honored to welcome Taoiseach Varadkar to our home at the Naval Observatory for an Irish breakfast. #StPatricksDay is the perfect time to celebrate our friendship & to marvel at Ireland’s lasting mark on America and the American people. pic.twitter.com/S9yroBwnf7

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 16, 2018

Ahead of his meeting with anti-#LGBTQ Mike Pence, Ireland's openly gay Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he wanted to bring up LGBTQ rights at the meeting.

Today, @mike_pence banned the media from covering the event.

Coincidence? 🤔

We don't think so. https://t.co/ouJirE7dSL

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 15, 2018

In 2015, Pence signed a law in Indiana that could've allowed businesses to deny service to LGBTQ people, including Irish PM Leo Varadkar. Pence has opposed marriage equality, hate crimes protections & more. Hope media will press him despite being shut out. https://t.co/IaszqybZTj

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) March 15, 2018

Irish Prime Minister At Belfast Pride: Marriage Equality Is "Only A Matter Of Time" In Northern Ireland

Newly-elected Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, told folks attending a Pride Breakfast in Belfast that marriage equality is "only a matter of time" in Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister, Ireland's first openly gay leader, is taking part in Belfast Pride as "a gesture of solidarity."

While the Republic of Ireland voted to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015, Northern Ireland remains the only place in the UK where a ban on same-sex marriage still exists.

Mr. Varadkar assured crowds in Belfast that he was not "here to unsettle anyone."

"But I am here to state my support and my government's support for equality before the law and individual freedom for all citizens wherever they may reside," he said.

Thrilled to see Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the #BelfastPride march today. Join us for a fairer, more tolerant Northern Ireland 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/EUakrOrPKQ

— NI Humanists (@NIhumanists) August 5, 2017

Let's hope it's not much longer till we can paint this whole map pink! #BelfastPride pic.twitter.com/hcLkmeFIGT

— LGBT Humanists (@LGBTHumanistsUK) August 5, 2017

Happy #BelfastPride everyone! pic.twitter.com/GjMbaL74BF

— @SouthBelfastSF (@SouthBelfastSF) August 5, 2017

Irish PM at #belfastpride says he's there to express support for equality for all citizens but not seeking to 'unsettle' anyone pic.twitter.com/LlVu1shRrf

— JPCampbellBiz (@JP_Biz) August 5, 2017