On May 22, Ireland will hold a national vote on marriage
equality and may be the first country in the world to pass this law. Ireland
has made huge achievements over the last 20 years regarding LGBT rights. In
1993, homosexuality was decriminalized and the Civil Partnership Act was passed
in 2010. LGBT rights groups have made huge strides and really have changed the
people of Ireland’s opinions on gay marriage. The first opinion poll on the topic in 2015 shows 76% in
support for gay marriage. Although there are still some who are opposed to the
idea of gay marriage, the Catholic Church and other small advocate groups are
making sure their voices are heard. The repetitive claim that many people who
are against gay marriage seem to make, “denying” children of a mother and
father. In reality though, one-third of children in Ireland are raised outside
of the traditional heterosexual married family structure. The Alliance for the Defense
of the Family and Marriage made claims earlier this month in Dublin that “homosexuals
will contract cancer earlier in life” and saying voting for same-sex marriage
“is like voting for Islamic State-style sharia law”. The “no campaign” is using fear and offensive claims to back
up their stance against gay marriage. If this law is passed, it will make
global movements in marriage equality.
I still find it hard to believe that a country that is so
heavily influenced by Catholicism is taking major steps towards marriage
equality, but it is exciting news. I look forward to the verdict in May and
also more offensive and ridiculous claims like “gay cancer”.
Ashley Casmirri
3/6/15
12:45 PM
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