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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To rally Irish voters here and ask is anyone voting No tomorrow?

415 replies

LayMeDown · 21/05/2015 14:13

I know there's lots of Irish on MN. I don't know anyone in RL voting No. But polls indicates it's tightening a lot. I'm getting scared it won't pass and my lovely brother and his partner will be left out in the cold again. What are you all hearing in your circles?

FYI for any non Irish there is a referendum tomorrow on introducing same sex marriage in Ireland.

OP posts:
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Moln · 22/05/2015 15:12

Were is everyone getting the turnout stats from?

MitzyLeFrouf · 22/05/2015 15:13

Twitter. Mainly this guy for Dublin twitter.com/KHumphreysTD

JillBYeats · 22/05/2015 16:12

Just voted at the local primary school and there was a "No" poster on the door as we entered the school. I am really surprised at that (one of the kids told me they weren't allowed to wear Yes or No badges to school during the week or to promote either side so am really surprised this poster was allowed up.

feckthemall · 22/05/2015 16:14

Very quiet polling station here when I voted at 8.30 am. I am feeling quietly positive but extremely nervous about the result. I find it quite telling that no posters (here and elsewhere) are stating that they won't be upset if the yes vote wins. I will be absolutely gutted if it isnt passed and I say that as a straight woman with no gay family or friends. I cannot begin to imagine how any gay person or their family and friends are feeling today, how they will feel if this isn't passed. To look around and know that your own countrymen and women don't want you to have the same rights as them. It has to pass, it just has to.

OOAOML · 22/05/2015 16:18

Not in Ireland but following with interest - do you know if there's going to be an exit poll?

MitzyLeFrouf · 22/05/2015 16:23

No exit poll.

MitzyLeFrouf · 22/05/2015 16:25

Just read a tweet that says 'Officials in Tipperary predicting a turnout over 70pc - possibly touching 80pc - across the county.'

Eeek! Go Tipperary, would be amazing if it happens.

KnitFastDieWarm · 22/05/2015 16:30

I can't even begin to express how much I'm enjoying the bizarrely camp oven glove. WTAF?

HETERONORMATIVE-YET-CAMP OVEN GLOVES AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE!!!! Grin

leedy · 22/05/2015 16:34

LOVE NOT GLOVE

saoirse31 · 22/05/2015 16:38

tell the polling officials re poster. its illegal to have any posters r etc within 100 metres of polling station.

saoirse31 · 22/05/2015 16:43

Red lentil. .. why spoil your vote? meaningless gesture. So you support equality as in gay marriage rights but are happy to not support equality in terms of age you can stand for president election? #ironicspoiling

5446 · 22/05/2015 16:45

Not in Ireland but this is very close to my heart.

A friend of mine is madly in love with his boyfriend, but have not been able to go out together publicly as his father is in a position that could seriously be affected. They feel a Yes vote would give them the confidence and ability to be together properly and show their love without any repercussions.

Anniegetyourgun · 22/05/2015 16:46

The oven glove has a picture of a beautiful bride on it. Who's to say the other glove wouldn't have another beautiful bride on it? Wink

KnitFastDieWarm · 22/05/2015 16:48

Because the gays support JUDAS!! annie

Or some such bollocks.

And I'm a Christian Grin

KnitFastDieWarm · 22/05/2015 16:49

In all seriousness, I'm crossing everything and praying for a big fat YES Smile

KnitFastDieWarm · 22/05/2015 16:50

A friend of mine is madly in love with his boyfriend, but have not been able to go out together publicly as his father is in a position that could seriously be affected.

That is heartbreaking Sad

Lima1 · 22/05/2015 16:53

Maryz - you criticised my research when you are clearly wrong. I have a sneaky feeling I know more about irsh constitutional law than you.

Newyorkhereicome · 22/05/2015 16:59

The poster on the polling station door is absolutely illegal and should be reported. The author Marion Keyes tweeted she reported a priest at her polling station as she believed he was trying to influence people'svote. Apparently he was just "chatting" to people Hmm

Anniegetyourgun · 22/05/2015 17:04

Yeah, about that. Was Judas known to be gay, and/or did he betray any brides? I'm quite confused.

GeorgeYeatsAutomaticWriter · 22/05/2015 17:19

Really, Lima1? Do you know more than Mary McAleese (constitutional lawyer)? More than Justice Kevin Cross (chairman of the Independent Referendum Commission)? Both of whom have stated categorically that adoption and surrogacy have nothing to do with this referendum.

It sounds like you've swallowed the hateful Iona scaremongering hook line and sinker. Hopefully you and your ilk will be turn out to have been emphatically on the wrong side of history tomorrow lunchtime.

JackSkellington · 22/05/2015 17:39

It's a shame it even needs to go to a vote, but I really hope it's a yes. Same sex couples shouldn't be denied the right to marry because some people refuse to accept it. I'm not in Ireland but seeing some of the no campaign material, it's utterly ridiculous.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 22/05/2015 17:48

My colleague has put this on her facebook, she's been married for several years. I'm all in favour of same sex marriage and the responses she's had are very positive.

I can't understand why anybody would be opposed to this, I just can't. It hurts absolutely nobody and everybody should have the same rights.

Joining everybody here voting for a big, emphatic, 'YES!'. :)

duplodon · 22/05/2015 18:06

It needs to go to a vote because Ireland has a constitution, it isn't to do with feeling about it. If it passes, it will be the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through a popular vote, which would just be wonderful.
And even if it doesn't, young gay people will know much more clearly that many, many people support their identity and right to love who they choose, and it will be a matter of time I believe. Divorce was not passed in 1986 but was in 1995. Obviously I hope we will pass this first time but I think even if it doesn't pass today, there is much to celebrate in how things have changed since I was a teen.

OrangeVase · 22/05/2015 18:20

What is the difference between marrige and civil partnership? I have never understood it, (and nor has anyone been really able to explain to me)

Marriage is a sacrement and does involve God
Civil marriage is a legal partnership/agreement and does not involve God
Civil partnership is a legal partnership agreement and does not involve God.

Are the rights different? Is it more difficult/easier to break up?
You can have a party/white dress/suit/ flowers for both so that is not the problem.

Why is it such an important issue? (And my gay friends don't see it either - most think it is a fuss about nothing)

Re: the attitude and inevitable abuse that came immediately someone said they might vote NO - no need for it.

Original poster
LayMeDown · 22/05/2015 18:26

There are over 100 differences between civil partnership and marriage. One of them should be obvious. In order to change definition of marriage a referendum such as today is needed. In order to change civil partnership only legislation is needed. So leaving it open to the whims of politicians.

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