Marriage equality 10 years on: 'I lost count of how many times I was called a pervert in my home town'

Forcing a community to plead on doorsteps for their rights has had long-term impacts on many LGBT+ people, argues Maria Ní Fhlatharta

Maria Ni Fhlatharta: 'The politicians who celebrate the marriage equality vote as their legacy still refuse to acknowledge the unfairness attached to the referendum, and their role in it. They acted out of a desire for public approval, not political courage.' Photo: Laura Hutton / The Irish Times

In May 2015, we made history. We said “Yes” to marriage equality - a moment of jubilation, national pride, and profound relief. It was a beautiful day. Tear filled. Joyous. But that day came at a cost that has been ignored.

The months leading up to that vote were filled with noise, emotion, and exhaustion. The chaos of the campaign has obscured a fact worth remembering: the referendum was not necessary. It was an act of political cowardice.