Decision to reveal he is gay pivotal point for yes vote

Pat Carey’s decision to reveal he is gay ahead of May’s marriage equality referendum was seen as a turning point for the yes campaign.

He only came out to family and friends four years earlier, aged 63, but in February decided to publicise his sexuality because he was concerned the marriage equality referendum campaign lacked a sense of urgency.

It was seen as a pivotal moment for the yes campaign, not least because of his age. Mr Carey himself said that he had particular concern for older gay people who did not grow up in today’s more inclusive society.

He said he was especially conscious of gay people in isolated rural communities, adding that the fact he had lived most of his life in Dublin rather than his native Kerry made it easier for him to come out.

“You think back to what it was like when you were growing up, and if I were writing it up or whatever, would say since my early teens that I was aware that I was in some way different,” he said at the time.

“The part of the country I came from, the word ‘gay’ wasn’t even heard of — people were regarded as being ‘a bit odd’, but it was in later years it would have crossed my mind that I am different.”

The former equality minister described the reaction he experienced on his Facebook page after going public: “It’s really interesting the number of people from Kerry and from rural Ireland, in fact I’d say predominantly from rural Ireland, wanting to befriend.”

Mr Carey said he regretted not coming out while in active politics and that he had been inspired to finally go public by the courage shown by Health Minister Leo Varadkar a month earlier.

He said he had been “consumed” by politics, and it was only after the “car crash” Fianna Fáil election defeat four years earlier that afforded him the space to reflect on his life and sexuality.