Victoria

[Deisecelt]

Is anyone else friends with Victoria Mary Clarke on Facebook? Looks like she just got married to Sinéad O Connor tonight. probably not true to be fair but would make headline or two. Her sister Vanessa said "it came as a surprise to us all but it was a lovely ceremony #voteyes #equality4all

[Mike from Boston]

Just curious about the vote in Ireland. Is it to legalize gay marriage? Seems like a lot of money being spent in opposition, although, according to FB one of my cousins in Dublin is active tearing down signs.

[Deisecelt]

Yeah gay marriage is illegal in Ireland and to change the constitution you need a referendum. I imagine it's gonna be about 90 % in favour if people turn out. Only he hard line Christians are against it but your right they are pumping a lot of money into it. Wasting their hard earned cash if you ask me. I don't think tearing down signs does either side any favours.

[Fr. McGreer]

I imagine it's gonna be about 90 % in favour if people turn out.

I wouldn't be so sure Deise. I reckon an awful lot of the older generation will vote against same sex marriage. Also, all the people in small town Ireland who may be homophobic will not admit to this publicly when polled. When they go into the voting booth it will be easy for them to vote against gay marriage.

I truly hope Ireland doesn't end up being an embarrassing joke

VOTE YES

[Deisecelt]

Can you imagine the shame if it didn't pass. We'd be seen as a nation of homophobic neandarthals. we'd loose a fortune in tourism and businesses would probably think twice about setting up where there's animosity towards the lgbt community. We'd be compared to Russia. I can understand elderly people with strong religious views voting no but let's hope all the other rednecks don't come out in force and embarrass thr lot of us. That's why it's essential we all play a part by persuading people we know to get out and vote. There'll be a lot people just presuming it'll be yes and not bothering with the hassle Of heading down to the polling station. Equality4all voteyes

[old barney greyheron]

It can't be as bad as in the south of the USA, I read a lot of stuff online about those right-wing fundamentalist Christians..the other day there was a preacher calling for the execution of gays! Dangerous nutcases!

[Mike from Boston]

It can't be as bad as in the south of the USA, I read a lot of stuff online about those right-wing fundamentalist Christians..the other day there was a preacher calling for the execution of gays! Dangerous nutcases!

Barney, not sure, but you may have heard the Westboro Baptist Church, based in Kansas in the MidWest US. They picket any gay themed events and even military funerals, blaming the deaths on God's Wrath because of the gay lifestyle. Even though they are a bunch of inbreds, they are dangerous, a few of them are lawyers, and they have a tendency to sue and at least get their cases heard in court, which can cost you a lot of money.

A few years back they were going to protest an event in Boston, but the Teamsters from Charlestown announced they were going to attend, so they backed down. Lots of remnants from the Irish Mob working for the Teamsters!!

[Low D]

At least politicians in Ireland have the decency to let the population decide. In North America they make folks sue for rights, and as court after court decides in favour:
- Conservatives say to their constituency "Our hands are tied, what can we do?"
- Liberals follow up their years of doing nothing with a self I congratulatory "the courts have spoken"

Or that's Canada, but even US Republicans are starting to throw up their hands, or even pretending that they were never really that against it, or that being against doesn't mean they're actually homophobic, etc.

[Fr. McGreer]

This same sex marriage referendum is now getting quite nasty in the way the two sides are trying to discredit each other. Today, the Yes side are trying to contact an idyllic family who appear on a vote no poster. It turns out they are from an Australian photo stock library and agreed to let their image be released for any purpose because they got free family portraits!

Going back to my previous point on the polls not being anywhere near accurate. A TV debate found it very difficult to get members of the public who are voting No to admit that on TV. When asked in private, they said they will be voting against the motion.

I wonder what Philip would have made of it all?

Anyone reading this here in Ireland, VOTE YES

[ManniGee]

This same sex marriage referendum is now getting quite nasty in the way the two sides are trying to discredit each other. Today, the Yes side are trying to contact an idyllic family who appear on a vote no poster. It turns out they are from an Australian photo stock library and agreed to let their image be released for any purpose because they got free family portraits!

Going back to my previous point on the polls not being anywhere near accurate. A TV debate found it very difficult to get members of the public who are voting No to admit that on TV. When asked in private, they said they will be voting against the motion.

I wonder what Philip would have made of it all?

Anyone reading this here in Ireland, VOTE YES

And how clear that referendum was... I wish we in Germany could do the same.

[Fr. McGreer]

This same sex marriage referendum is now getting quite nasty in the way the two sides are trying to discredit each other. Today, the Yes side are trying to contact an idyllic family who appear on a vote no poster. It turns out they are from an Australian photo stock library and agreed to let their image be released for any purpose because they got free family portraits!

Going back to my previous point on the polls not being anywhere near accurate. A TV debate found it very difficult to get members of the public who are voting No to admit that on TV. When asked in private, they said they will be voting against the motion.

I wonder what Philip would have made of it all?

Anyone reading this here in Ireland, VOTE YES

And how clear that referendum was... I wish we in Germany could do the same.

Yes, It was a fantastic day. I don't think i've ever felt more proud to be Irish. After all the shame of the Catholic church's child abuse, the unborn child and mother laws plus the corrupt financial system, Saturday was incredible