THE LATEST EDITION of the RTÉ Guide has been welcomed by groups working towards equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people as a “symbol of acceptance”.
It is the first time ever the magazine has featured a same-sex couple on its front cover, RTÉ confirmed this afternoon.
Broadcaster Aengus MacGrianna and his fiancé Terry Gill, who have recently announced their engagement, are the cover stars with an image taken at home on their alpaca farm.
GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) has said the latest magazine is a “symbol of the huge shift in Ireland over a short space of time”.
Director Brian Sheehan told TheJournal.ie that the nation has moved towards acceptance with gay couples now more visible in regional and national media. It also reflects what is happening across Ireland today, he said.
“It is a popular magazine. And, all over the country, where this magazine is appearing, someone locally is having a Civil Partnership. It reflects the huge acceptance, through Civil Partnerships, of lesbian and gay partnerships.”
He also added that it was “a great thing that a person on our screens every night at nine o’clock reading the news is an openly gay man”.
MacGrianna and Gill plan to get married in the UK, where same-sex marriage has just been legalised. The newsreader – and current Celebrity Masterchef contestant – spoke about his wish for marriage equality in Ireland at a recent event in Dublin, organised by Ben & Jerry’s.
The pair have been together for more than 10 years.
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