On the historic occasion Norris wrote, "I will, for the first time in my life, feel that I am a full and equal citizen of my own country."

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Nor was he alone in that sentiment. As it happened, the law was adopted just in time to make Dublin's annual pride festivities a moment of especially great celebration. Journalist Mary Holland described the atmosphere as one of "exuberance and delight" combined with "an enormous, palpable sense of relief." She further observed that "one would need to have a heart of stone not to have been moved by the great waves of happiness that surged through the centre of Dublin" on the jubilant occasion.

Norris has continued to address issues of concern to the Irish glbtq community, including workplace discrimination, which was banned in October 1993, and immigration rights for foreign partners, which have so far been denied.

Long-Time Relationship and Its Dissolution

Norris's own relationship with his longtime love, Ezra Yizhak, fell victim to the stress of forced separation. The couple met in Dublin, where Yizhak, an Israeli, was vacationing. Unable to obtain a work permit and deported, Yizhak made do with annual month-long visas, and Norris spent vacation time with him in Jerusalem. The situation, Norris said, put "an intolerable strain" on their relationship, which ended in 2001 after twenty-six years.

Norris commented, "I would prefer not to see other people having to go through the heartache that I have had to endure," adding that if he and Yizhak had been able to marry, they might not have broken up.

Civil Partnership Bill

Norris has been working for the replacement of Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution, which asserts a state interest in safeguarding the institution of marriage as the sole basis of the family. After considerable effort Norris succeeded in having the Civil Partnership Bill accepted for hearings in the legislature in 2004. The measure would allow gay and lesbian couples (as well as opposite-sex couples who choose not to marry) to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual spouses. These include equivalent status in matters of taxation, pension rights, the ability to inherit, and recognition of the partners as next of kin, as well as immigration rights for foreign partners.

The bill had a second reading in March 2005. While there is a certain amount of cause for optimism regarding its eventual passage, it is unlikely that the process of implementing its dictates will be expeditious.

Norris has stated, "It would bring my career in this area to a satisfying conclusion if my name were on the Bill that finally and definitively removed discrimination." It may be hoped that such an outcome will be achieved, for it would be a fitting honor indeed for the courageous campaigner who has worked unstintingly to bring dignity and equality to the glbtq citizens of Ireland.

Those countries that allow the immigration of glbtq persons based on persecution in their home countries often raise difficulties or apply the existing laws inequitably, especially in the case of glbtq couples who apply for entry as domestic partners.

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Sodomy laws, which provided the legal basis for police harassment of sexual minorities, were conclusively overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 2003, after more than half a century of efforts at reform.

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