Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said people will be denying fellow citizens their rights if they vote against the same-sex marriage referendum on May 22nd.
Mr Kenny visited the national support organisation for lesbian gay bisexual and transgender young people, BeLonG To, in Dublin’s Temple Bar on Thursday, where he warned that “the enemy of any referendum” was complacency.
“If this vote were to not approve the referendum change it means that Irish citizens are denying other Irish citizens the right to an equal society or equality in society in terms of the marriage contract and the civil law,” he said.
“So it’s a really important date, a really important day, a really important opportunity for this country to move to a different space, to show real leadership in terms of what equality actually means.”
Mr Kenny met with young LGBT people and told them all political parties in Leinster House supported the referendum and said they had 15 days left to ensure people were sufficiently motivated and interested enough to actually vote.
He said Yes canvassers should focus on what the referendum was about and what question people were being asked to answer.
“It is nothing to do with religious ceremonies in churches, nothing to do with the issues of children. This is about a right for people to be able to get married in a civil contract irrespective of their sexual orientation,” he said.
One young BeLonG To member, Alison Kershaw, broke down as she told Mr Kenny she had a girlfriend for more than two years and they had a happy, successful relationship.
“I’m not saying because I’m here that I want to get married right now. I’m just saying I want the right to get married. Every other girl my age has the right. It is upsetting because I’m being discriminated by who I love and who I am,” she said.
“I encourage people and young people as well please go out and vote for young people like us who just want to be happy. You all have the right so I really ask people to get out there and use their voice and stand up for young LGTB people in Ireland.”
Minister for Children James Reilly, who was also present, said he believed all Irish people were "generous, proud and strong". He said the referendum was about ending discrimination against LGBT people.
“This is a real Republic and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the Irish people to say Yes, show that we’re inclusive and be the first nation to pass a referendum in the world on this issue,” Dr Reilly said.
“There is but one issue here. Do we as a Republic which states that it wants to cherish all its people equally give all our people the same rights?”
BeLonG To member Sean Freyne said he had been canvassing for a Yes vote in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
The reaction had been “quite positive” although he had encountered a “handful” of No voters. “Their opinion is just as valid but because it’s my personal life that’s being affected by it it’s hard not to take it personally,” he said.
