Campaigners were out in Dublin on Thursday ahead of Ireland’s referendum on marriage equality. Same-sex civil partnerships are already recognised
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Campaigners were out in Dublin on Thursday ahead of Ireland’s referendum on marriage equality.
Same-sex civil partnerships are already recognised, but the constitutional amendment would go further, allowing gay civil marriage.
The ‘Yes’ campaign wants equality for all Irish people, and has the backing of major political parties.
Sixty-year-old retired teacher Peter Lynch held a placard up to passing motorists reading: “Make History. Please go and vote Yes. You have until 10pm Fri. We need a huge Dublin Vote.”
“It’s a simple matter of equality. For the last 60 years I’ve been a second class citizen in Ireland and I want to feel equal,” said Lynch. “It won’t help me personally but I hope the next generation never have to go through what I’ve had to go through.”
“Because it is fair, and it’s more equality,” said local resident Aoife, adding, “it’s better for Ireland I think.”
Meanwhile ‘No’ campaigners argue that civil partnerships should be good enough for gay people.
Posters warn that unregulated surrogate pregnancies would flourish in a more gay-friendly Ireland.
“Defending marriage, traditional marriage as it was outlined by our very wise forefathers,” said 63-year-old former journalist Hilary Fagan.
“Personally, I believe same sex marriage is most unnatural, that’s my opinion,” said an elderly man.
The ‘Yes’ campaign knows it needs a large turnout, especially for the youth vote and in Dublin to outweigh the expected higher ‘No’ vote in more conservative small towns and rural areas.