Thank you for voting for equality
One of the most fundamental expressions of love and loyalty between two people, Marriage had, up until then, been the preserve of opposite sex couples. One year on, civil marriages are becoming more and more commonplace, and religious marriages continue for opposite sex couples, who chose to follow that path.
Polling day came and I, like all responsible, dutiful citizens went to the polling station to cast my vote. I went with my niece, who, like many others, was voting for the first time, having registered a few weeks previously. As we both placed our ballots in the box, I felt for the first time since the 2002 general election, that I was making a difference that my vote was actually going to effect change.
It did effect change, because on May 22, at a thronged Dublin Castle, the returning officer announced that 1,201,607 had voted Yes. The referendum was passed. Tears of joy were shed, hugs and kisses were plentiful and the jubilant crowd created the greatest street party Dublin had witnessed.
To get to this point, the LGBT community had to fight a long and difficult battle, ever since brave people like David Norris dared to call for gay rights and former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese took on the role as legal counsel to the Gay Rights movement. The state had to be brought to the European Court of Human Rights, where it was forced to decriminalise homosexuality, something that did not happen until the Labour Party was in government some five years later.
Many may think this battle is over and that LGBT people are as equal as straight people. It is not over by a long shot. LGBT people still face discrimination on a daily basis, in giving blood donations, in employment, in bars and restaurants etc. Only recently did then Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, remove the rule that prevented openly LGBT people from being teachers. The wall is being dismantled, one brick at a time.
One year on, the constitution has been amended, legislation passed and, more importantly, same sex couples have been married. Not surprisingly the sky has not fallen down, civil society has not disintegrated and society is all the better for it.
Even though the past is very hard to forget and our own experiences of growing up LGBT are eternally embedded in our memories, for good or bad, the future is bright. Irish children are growing up in a society that is increasingly more tolerant. LGBT children feel a sense of acceptance in society and thankfully the numbers of those finding the courage to come out to their families and friends has increased.
I am reminded of what Panti Bliss said on the announcement of the Yes result. “In a way, it’s like we asked the whole country to marry us; and they said yes!”
With that in mind, I think it is appropriate to say thank you to everybody who voted in favour of equality on that day, thank you for giving us the opportunity to marry the ones we love, thank you for telling us how much you love us, as you do all of your children.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
