Marriage Referendum 2015; Vote YES for Equality and Progression

by Michelle Mitchell
                                                                                                
I don’t think there is anyone in Ireland by now that is unaware of the upcoming marriage referendum on May 22^nd.  If this referendum is passed what will occur is that homosexual couples will gain the right to have the same status of marriage that heterosexual couples in Ireland presently obtain.  With this referendum of course those for and against it passing have implemented a very visible and vocal campaign on their respective opinions.

All of the major political parties are calling for a yes vote and associating it with inclusivity in society, along with equality and fairness for all Irish citizens. Many celebrities are also advocating for a yes vote such as Hozier, various Irish rugby players and Sir Ian McKellen, which is showing a strong backing for the yes campaign. I have to say I am one such advocate and simply struggle to understand how anyone can comprehend or defend their decision to vote no. If two people in a relationship that I am no way involved in, decide to get married then how exactly does that affect me? Why does this issue even give cause for a referendum, as by even doing this we are essentially in some respect deciding as to whether or not gay and lesbian people deserve the same rights and status as anyone else in society?  We would also do well to remember that we also voting for the right of our children and their children to marry. So any future relationships our children may enter into, we are therefore influencing its legal and social standing on May 22^nd. I currently have no children but when or if I do and if any of them should be born gay or lesbian well then I would like to think they would be equally valued in Irish society and that I have played a small role in contributing to that by voting yes on May 22^nd.

Turing my attention to the no campaign, whilst I do respect everyone’s right to promote their views and opinions in any referendum or poll, what I do not respect is using lies and children as pawns to do so. I think their argument essentially has proved counter-productive as the yes campaign has responded by making it clear that in no way is this referendum a vote for surrogacy. That is an issue for the legislature and the legalities surrounding surrogacy will not be affected by the result on May 22^nd.  As for the call to not redefine marriage, everyone’s concept of marriage is different. We have a tenancy in Ireland to associate marriage with the church. This is not the case, the Catholic Church nor any other church did not invent marriage, it is in fact a pagan tradition in this country before Christianity arrived and therefore they do not own the concept of this union. I do respect that the church are entitled to their own understanding and beliefs of marriage however it is not the only one and claiming ownership of this union is simply wrong. Finally in relation to the no campaign using child protection as a reason to vote no is simply ignorant, discriminatory, wrong and there is no justification for it. If we want to look at institutions and groups of people who have damaged the family unit and hurt children in inconceivable ways in this country then let’s turn our attention to the church and state. Mother and baby homes, forced adoption, clerical abuse, Magdalene asylums, arranged marriages, enough said!

To conclude this piece I would like to urge everyone to get out and vote yes on May 22^nd as by doing so we are showing the world we are a progressive, egalitarian and fair nation that values all of its citizens equally. We are closing a divide in society that currently exists and this need's to happen as when a social divide prevails in society it damages it. Social divides promote discrimination, prejudice and social isolation. However most importantly by voting yes we are showing all members of the LGBT community that yes we do value you as equal citizens in our country and we recognise your right to love and marry whomever you choose.  Finally, what I visualise should a yes vote occur, is that twenty years into the future  finding it so unbelievable and shameful that we once didn’t allow homosexuals to marry, just as now we find it hard to comprehend that blacks and whites were once not allowed to marry or the stigma attached to Protestant and Catholic unions.