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RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Celebrations under way to mark 10 years since 'Yes' marriage equality referendum
Celebrations are under way at Collins Barracks in Dublin, marking 10 years since Ireland voted 'Yes' in the marriage equality referendum. The free day-long event 'What A Difference A Day Made' celebrates 22 May 2015, when Ireland became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote. 62% of voters approved the amendment to the Constitution of Ireland that would allow same-sex marriage, 38% voted against the proposal. Since then, 5,956 same-sex couples have married in Ireland, according to figures published by the Central Statistics Office in April. Organised by the team behind the Yes Equality campaign, the event will feature a lineup of performances, music, and talks, including live performances from Tolü Makay, Niamh Bury and Bobbi Arlo, alongside choral performances from Gloria, Choral Confusion, The Belle Harmonics, and Dublin Gay Men's Chorus. Over 20 LGBTQ+ community organisations are also in attendance, allowing visitors to connect with support groups across the country. Speaking ahead of the event, Co-Director of the Yes Equality campaign Brian Sheehan thanked those who contributed to the historic Yes vote 10 years ago. "It's also an opportunity to thank all of our allies and the organisations who worked for that Yes vote – including trade unions, civil society, community and human rights organisations, student unions and most importantly the 70 Yes Equality groups and LGBTIQ+ organisations across the country", Mr Sheehan continued. The community-led event, open to everyone, will reflect on the joy and happiness that flowed from the marriage referendum, he said. "It will explore the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ communities now, especially in the face of rising hostility and unfinished legal protections in Ireland." he added.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Challenges for LGBTQ+ community 10 years after referendum
This day 10 years ago, voters were asked whether they were in favour or against legalising same sex marriage in a referendum to change the constitution. 62% of voters approved the amendment to the Constitution of Ireland that would allow same-sex marriage, 38% voted against. It was the first time a state legalised same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Thousands celebrated, including those who had travelled from overseas to vote. Our Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely looks back at the campaign and examines challenges the LGBTQ+ community face. The Upper Square of Dublin Castle has been the backdrop to many historic moments. However, few have been charged with the emotion of that landmark result 10 years ago when the public voted for the legalisation of same sex marriage. There were scenes of joy when the final result was announced. 62% of voters approved the amendment to the Constitution of Ireland that would allow same-sex marriage, 38% voted against it. The anniversary of the referendum has offered campaigners on both sides a chance to reflect. The co-director of the 'Yes Equality' campaign Brian Sheehan said he realised they might just do it when those who had travelled home to vote by boat arrived in Dublin Bay. "The boat to vote people were crossing, sailing into Dublin Bay and somebody got up on the deck and sang 'She moved through the Fair', which has that beautiful line, 'it will not be long love till our wedding day', and I thought, OK, maybe we just can do it. "But the scale of the result was astonishing. Irish people were fair and generous and inclusive and kind." 62% of voters said yes to marriage equality and 38% voted against. The turnout was 61%. Magnanimous in defeat 10 years ago, Independent Senator Rónán Mullen who campaigned for the No side admits that the outcome was clear at the time. In hindsight, he believes there was a sense of understanding and civility from both sides. "I think broadly speaking the yes side were mostly quite understanding of no voters' concerns, particularly at the leadership level. "Now, there were incidents where there was a certain amount of unfair accusations of homophobia towards people and that maybe a certain amount of cultural pressure as well online," he said. Me Mullen added: "I think that was unhelpful, but for the most part, I think the debate took place very civilly between the different sides." Bolstered by their unions through marriage, many gay couples decided to expand their families, but having children hasn't been straight forward for some. While Ranae Von Meding and her wife are legally recognised as the parents of their eldest girls, their 16-month-old son has just one legal parent because of a change in the law in 2020. She has lobbied hard for years to point out that the existing legislation is not fit for purpose and is excluding many children. "I always bring it back to children because as a parent, yes, it's an inconvenience for me and we have to find work arounds and only one parent can sign certain things. But when you come down to it, it's the children who are affected. "My son is being denied such a basic right that other children are given, which is a legal connection to the people who are raising him, and if anything, were to happen to me, he would be orphaned and that is not what people voted for 10 years ago." Efforts to lobby successive governments and health ministers to change legislation has been gruelling. "We are doing this for our children, but we have to remember that for the Government and the people in those positions that were put there, this is their job to engage and to fix this so that the children of Ireland can finally say that they're equal," Ms Von Meding said. In 2015, few could have imagined that hate crimes and discrimination would seep into Irish society over the following decade, but this is a reality for many members of the community, particularly in the last four to five years. LGBT Ireland CEO Paula Fagan believes it's a rollback on what was achieved. "People are back feeling unsafe and not wanting to be out because of fear for their safety. "So that's a real rollback and I think it's that's why it's so important that the government and politicians and society keep pushing for progress," Ms Fagan said. Campaigners have the next 10 years is about reigniting the positivity and hope of 2015. Brian Sheehan believes Ireland's EU Presidency next year could offer an opportunity. "It's an opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership and stand firm for EU LGBT people to show that they're valued and respected and will be treated equally. "The Irish people gave a mandate to the Irish Government to do that," Mr Sheehan said. He added: "We need the courage to stand up for those who are not being treated well in our lives around us at the moment and I think that matters, whether you're LGBT, there's a rollback on women's rights, there's a rollback on rights from minorities for people of colour, and I think that's the kind of space we have to mind. "We have to mind the good bits of Ireland, and therein lies the victory in the referendum. That isn't done yet."
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘So proud to reflect on this defining moment' – New star-studded podcast examines marriage equality vote 10 years on
A COMEDIAN star and well-known guests are set to join forces for a brand-new "powerful" podcast to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality in Ireland. Shane Daniel Byrne is set to celebrate 10 years since Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in a limited documentary podcast series with four episodes. 5 Shane Daniel Byrne is the host of the new podcast series Credit: supplied by Onic 5 The episodes air weekly from this Thursday, May 22, for the next four weeks Credit: supplied by Onic 5 The podcast is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality Credit: Alamy The comedian star is well-known for his podcast Hot Young Guys, co-hosted with Tony Cantwell and Killian Sunderman, which quickly became Ireland's number one comedy podcast in 2024. Now he is set to host a brand new podcast series that is dedicated to the ten-year anniversary of when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise Featuring four powerful episodes, the host will take listeners on an emotional and joyful journey detailing Ireland's historic fight for same-sex marriage and Produced by Onic, the new series will also include his personal reflections and standup live from his sold-out gig at Vicar Street in READ MORE ON LGBT During the podcast, Shane will explore the cultural shifts that eventually made the 2015 referendum possible, where 62 per cent of the Irish electorate voted in favour of supporting same-sex marriage. Almost 30 special guests and unsung heroes of the Yes Equality referendum campaign will appear on the show, including drag queen Well-known RTE and entertainment stars such as Each episode brings together voices from Most read in Celebrity On the launch of the new podcast series, Shane said: "Ireland Said Yes is more than just discussing a referendum — it's about celebrating the decades of LGBT activism decades before, alongside the personal stories from people across the country that helped change how Ireland sees itself. "I'm so proud to reflect on this defining moment and can't wait for people to hear it." 'POWERFUL REMINDER' Sasha Hamrogue, the Head of Digital at Onic, said: "This wonderful new series from Onic Originals captures the courage, resilience, and love that drove the fight for equality in Ireland. "It's a powerful reminder of the progress we've made — and the work still to be done." The comedian star has been teasing fans on Posting the trailer on Instagram, he said: "IRELAND SAID YES episode 1 drops TOMORROW. 'DIFFERENT PROJECT' "A very different 'project' for me and I'm really excited of the work we've done trying to tell the bigger picture of how Ireland Said Yes. "I interviewed a lot of people over the last 6 months and between myself and series producer @ and the team at @ We have 4 lovely episodes about The Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015." The four episodes will air every Thursday for the next four weeks, followed by bonus episodes with interview highlights curated by the host. The first episode is available to stream now on 5 Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage Credit: Alamy 5 Brendan Courtney is one of the many special guests to appear on the new podcast series Credit: supplied by Onic
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on marriage equality ten years on: an Irish milestone
The tenth anniversary of the marriage equality referendum, which falls next week, offers an opportunity to reflect on one of the most consequential events in modern Irish social history. Ireland was the first country in the world to put to a popular vote the question of whether to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples. The 62 per cent to 38 per cent vote in favour was the clearest evidence to date that the country had undergone a profound shift towards greater tolerance, respect and equality for all its citizens. The referendum must also be seen against the wider international backdrop of the most successful civil rights movement in modern democratic politics, as LGBTQ people across the world asserted their existence after centuries of repression. The change in Ireland was particularly swift. Within just over two decades, the State went from being a place where certain consensual sexual acts between adults were a criminal offence to one where the rights of all, regardless of sexual orientation, would be vindicated. READ MORE The Yes Equality campaign, with its focus on personal stories and its appeal to empathy and respect for individual dignity, would also provide a template for the successful campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment three years later. But the origins of the 2015 referendum go back further, to small groups of activists in the 1970s and 1980s who organised the first Pride events, set up resources like the Hirschfeld Centre, and began the long process of lobbying for reform. Lesbians and gay men were no longer prepared to accept institutional discrimination, police harassment and irrational prejudice. Their most high-profile and effective spokesman was David Norris, who became the first openly gay member of the Oireachtas when elected to the Seanad in 1987, but there were many others. The story of the struggle for LGBTQ rights in Ireland is one of persistence and determination in the face of an obdurate and often hostile legal and political establishment. But it is also about a deeper shift in public opinion. Homophobia became socially unacceptable as attitudes changed and gay people felt able to express their true selves. Sadly, that process of change is not complete. Members of the LGBTQ community still feel unsafe or unwanted in some places, including public spaces. That is unacceptable. Ireland is not immune to the reactionary intolerance which is on the rise elsewhere. The passage last year of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act acknowledges that lesbian, gay and trans people, along with other groups, are particularly vulnerable to criminality and acts of violence motivated by prejudice. It is entirely right that this is now taken into account by the courts in sentencing, in recognition of the LGBTQ community's right to safety and security.
