Katherine Zappone

Who is Katherine Zappone?

Katherine Zappone is a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission and an independent member of Seanad Éireann.

Zappone was born in Washington state, and educated at Boston College, The Catholic University of America and University College Dublin. She and her wife, Ann Louise Gilligan, run An Cosán which supports individuals and communities to actively engage in the process of social change through transformative education. She is a former CEO of the National Women's Council of Ireland.

In November 2004, Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan were granted leave by the High Court to pursue a claim to have their September 2003 Canadian marriage recognised for the filing of joint tax returns in Ireland. On 23 February 2007 the "KAL" case was appealed to the Supreme Court of Ireland. The case came before the Supreme Court in 2012, although returned to the High Court to challenge a different element of law.

In May 2011, she was nominated by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the 24th Seanad, having been recommended by the Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore.

She is the first openly lesbian member of the Oireachtas and the first member in a recognised same-sex relationship.