Attitudes to same sex marriage

Rushwan

Hi all, I am the mother of a 23 year old son, came out to us when he was 15, always have been there for him, we have a great relationship....anyway...I was going into a local club recently, one of the other members was just leaving, he asked the 4 of us-women-"if there was a referendum on gay marriage tomorrow, what way would ye vote?"- the 4 of us said we would vote in favour, to which he said "according to a poll in tomorrows paper 87% would vote yes-one of my friends reckons that poll was taken in the George" in a really sniggering way. 2 of my friends walked away -one has a gay daughter, the other a gay nephew. I asked this guy what way he would vote -he said he would vote against(and I quote) "that sort of thing is unnatural & THEY should all be shot" At that stage I also walked away-before I decked him-still seething that such an attitude still exists in this day & age. I only hope that when the vote happens that his generational attitude (he would be 70ish) doesn't carry the vote. My son has been registered to vote since he was 18, but has never exercised his franchise-I am sure he will in 2015, & I hope all of his apathetic generation will get up off their butts & vote, & wipe the smile of this homophobes face

promises

Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of people out there like this man. I was shocked recently at the abuse gay couples receive from strangers on the street. I hope the younger generation gets out and uses their vote in 2015 as every vote will be needed to get equality for gay people.

ongarboy

A major concern people have (including me) is that while an overwhelming majority support same sex marriage, there is a risk that so many of these supporters are as you say apathetic or apolitical so that they will not come out and vote assuming that (a) the yes vote will most definitely carry and therefore their individual vote is not needed to make a difference or (b) they haven't ever voted or feel alienated or indifferent to politics so have not or never made it a habit to vote in any election or referendum including this one.

I find conservative and older voters (ie your recently black eyed friend:D) will be more likely to vote and we know there will be a stronger tendency for them to vote No so we could have a worst case scenario where the vote is No even though the majority of the general population supports a Yes....but didn't vote to declare their choice!

ewan whose army

Wow you are an awesome Mum :-)

Seriously in England and Wales we had a similar problem with the older people's bigotry attempting (unsuccessfully) to derail the whole process. It was like Lord Tebbitt an 80 year old tory fart who only still has influence thanks to the insanity of the House Of Lords. England never had a referendum so the bill passed ok

In Ireland there is a fear of it failing, I think the parties in power know that (hence 2015 to avoid referendum tire) , the older people are more likely to vote. Despite being a UK citizen (so I can only vote in the Dail) I can't vote in referenda but it doesn't stop me from supporting the Yes vote does it, I just hope people make more of an effort. Although experience from the US shows that US Christian groups made more of a fool of themselves with their arguments against LGBT marriage that went against them, hopefully the likes of Iona will do the same and make themselves out to be the out of touch conservatives they truly are. I think it will past, the LGBT groups just can't get complacent, but there is a lot of party backing though which is good

georgesstreet

ewan whose army wrote: »

Wow you are an awesome Mum :-)

Seriously in England and Wales we had a similar problem with the older people's bigotry attempting (unsuccessfully) to derail the whole process. It was like Lord Tebbitt an 80 year old tory fart who only still has influence thanks to the insanity of the House Of Lords. England never had a referendum so the bill passed ok

In Ireland there is a fear of it failing, I think the parties in power know that (hence 2015 to avoid referendum tire) , the older people are more likely to vote. Despite being a UK citizen (so I can only vote in the Dail) I can't vote in referenda but it doesn't stop me from supporting the Yes vote does it, I just hope people make more of an effort. Although experience from the US shows that US Christian groups made more of a fool of themselves with their arguments against LGBT marriage that went against them, hopefully the likes of Iona will do the same and make themselves out to be the out of touch conservatives they truly are. I think it will past, the LGBT groups just can't get complacent, but there is a lot of party backing though which is good

I think its likely this referendum will pass and all adults will have the human right to marry. Having said that, I'll be arguing for it tirelessly between now and then just to make sure :-)

While this old mans remarks may have caused offence, to have assaulted and old man as a response to being offended seems disproportionate, and seems to have left yourself open to be charged with assault.

I was always most impressed with Gordon Wilson's response to his daughters murderers, which was to forgive them and not to seek revenge. By those actions, he made more progress for the peace progress that if he had attacked her murderers, and I hope I would always follow his example of tolerance, especially tolerance for those who seek to offend us.

Rushwan

georgesstreet-reading back through my post above, I can see how you would think I attacked that man, however I meant that I just walked away- I wanted to deck him but I didn't actually. I would never propose violence against a person who disagreed with my views-however I also couldn't do like Gordon Wilson & forgive him. I AM a tolerant person, but in the face of such bigotry my tolerance level was at an all time low!

georgesstreet

Rushwan wrote: »

georgesstreet-reading back through my post above, I can see how you would think I attacked that man, however I meant that I just walked away- I wanted to deck him but I didn't actually. I would never propose violence against a person who disagreed with my views-however I also couldn't do like Gordon Wilson & forgive him. I AM a tolerant person, but in the face of such bigotry my tolerance level was at an all time low!

Apologies, I must have misread your original post. I think many of us might find it hard to forgive as Gordon Wilson did, which makes his example all the more remarkable.

L.Jenkins

https://www.constitution.ie/Submissions.aspx?cid=50

Anyone provide submissions yet on Same Sex Marriage?

Annasopra

Itzy wrote: »

https://www.constitution.ie/Submissions.aspx?cid=50

Anyone provide submissions yet on Same Sex Marriage?

Em yeah. The convention met in April already. It recommended a referendum to government and government said there will be a referendum in 2015.