How will Donegal vote in the Marriage Equality referendum?

Duddy

Had this conversation with a good few people now.

Many from outside Donegal think that we'll vote No (because we have the reputation of voting no for everything) but a good few people from Donegal have suggested that Donegal's "underdog" feeling will lead to a Yes vote.

What do we think?

donalabu

Aye I am and voting no. The yes might win but it could be tight.

NIMAN

Disagree, think Donegal will vote YES in big numbers.

I think the reason Donegal votes No traditionally is because it has a large number of people who are on the left politically, and voting no or anti-everything is generally against what the Gov wants.

But in this case Sinn Fein is calling for a YES vote, and typically the left are liberal when it comes to issues such as gay rights etc, so we will vote YES in big numbers.

muffler

Prediction from myself: I think its going to be very tight with the yes vote winning out at the end of the day......just.

Broxi_Bear_Eire

I will be voting yes and I really hope it is a yes win

Pique

Broxi_Bear_Eire wrote: »

I will be voting yes and I really hope it is a yes win

Ditto.

doc11

NIMAN wrote: »

Disagree, think Donegal will vote YES in big numbers.

I think the reason Donegal votes No traditionally is because it has a large number of people who are on the left politically, and voting no or anti-everything is generally against what the Gov wants.

But in this case Sinn Fein is calling for a YES vote, and typically the left are liberal when it comes to issues such as gay rights etc, so we will vote YES in big numbers.

Sinn Fein is a protest vote up here and whatever they say will be taken with a pinch of salt.Up Until a 2010 by election there was no Sinn Fein TDs in Donegals 6 seats ever. Honestly if you think Donegal is a Left-liberal stronghold I think your in for a shock.Mc hugh, O domhnaill, Mc Gingley or McConalogue aren't exactly championing a yes vote

yourpics

I think Donegal will vote NO as I feel there are alot of NO voters out there who don't wish to express there opinion publicly, which may be skewing any polls etc.

It will probably be a yes vote overall over the entire country.

alchemist33

I predict a fifty point something for Yes and a forty nine point something for No.

Pique

As an aside, 2 of the 3 letters published in this weeks Donegal News were advocating a No vote (even if one of them tried to correlate being gay with being a No voter).

I have no great hopes for Donegal voting Yes. I hope I'm wrong but...

Vojera

I really hope Donegal votes yes but I wouldn't be confident of it.

I'm a lesbian from Donegal but I moved to Dublin a few years ago. I'm never 100% comfortable when I go home. For example, at Christmas I brought my civil partner to the local for a few drinks and, I'm not joking, there were a parade of people who would normally never open their mouths to me if they met me in the shop, all lining up to say hello to both of us. It was really weird!

If Donegal voted yes I would definitely feel more confident when I go home and feel a lot more accepted.

Flibbles

I firmly expect a no from Donegal, but a yes overall. Which is sad really.

donegal.

im voting yes, everyone i know is voting yes

but i think tne no side will win by a landslide. (same thing nationally)

NIMAN

Starting to doubt myself now, I would have put money on a YES from Donegal.

Still think it will be,but perhaps a lot tighter than I said initially.

galljga1

donegal. wrote: »

im voting yes, everyone i know is voting yes

but i think tne no side will win by a landslide. (same thing nationally)

There you have it: Donegal votes yes.

echo beach

Hear there was a big presence from the Yes campaign in Ballybofey at the match yesterday and their flyers had a nice picture of Eamonn McGee which was popular even with those who said they were voting No but took a leaflet anyway.

No evidence of a No canvass which is strange when there were (allowing for children and Tyrone fans) at least 10,000 potential voters in one place.

Vojera

echo beach wrote: »

No evidence of a No canvass which is strange when there were (allowing for children and Tyrone fans) at least 10,000 potential voters in one place.

Anecdotally I've heard from a few that there is a lot of anger towards No groups because of their posters. A lot of single parents feel insulted at the implication that their families are not good enough. Mind you, that's just in my little circle of family/friends, but maybe they didn't want to risk a lot of angry people in one place? It's different when you can walk away from someone's doorstep.

Flibbles

Vojera wrote: »

Anecdotally I've heard from a few that there is a lot of anger towards No groups because of their posters. A lot of single parents feel insulted at the implication that their families are not good enough. Mind you, that's just in my little circle of family/friends, but maybe they didn't want to risk a lot of angry people in one place? It's different when you can walk away from someone's doorstep.

Also anecdotally, everyone I know had the same opinion.

Pretty much everyone that isn't a hardened 2 parent unit with only hardened 2 parent unit friends was offended by the posters being used.

Everyone who has ever adopted, been adopted, used or been a surrogate, is single with kids, widowed with kids, divorced with kids, or knows anyone who belongs to those groups is directly insulted by those posters.

Banjoxed

Where I am the older churchgoing contingent seem to be solidly No. One person that I spoke to seemed to assume that because I care for my Dad I was a conservative Catholic and was going to vote No. I'm voting yes but if I was able to get out and lay a bet, I'd bet that Donegal will vote No. Anyone who thinks that Donegal is left-liberal would want to look a bit more closely at the community.

NIMAN

Banjoxed wrote: »

Where I am the older churchgoing contingent seem to be solidly No. One person that I spoke to seemed to assume that because I care for my Dad I was a conservative Catholic and was going to vote No. I'm voting yes but if I was able to get out and lay a bet, I'd bet that Donegal will vote No. Anyone who thinks that Donegal is left-liberal would want to look a bit more closely at the community.

I suppose I was using the fact that sf topped both constituencies to assume Donegal was left leaning.

wupucus

I hope the independent county of Donegal bucks the national trend as usual and votes NO

doc11

Vojera wrote: »

I really hope Donegal votes yes but I wouldn't be confident of it.

I'm a lesbian from Donegal but I moved to Dublin a few years ago. I'm never 100% comfortable when I go home. For example, at Christmas I brought my civil partner to the local for a few drinks and, I'm not joking, there were a parade of people who would normally never open their mouths to me if they met me in the shop, all lining up to say hello to both of us. It was really weird!

If Donegal voted yes I would definitely feel more confident when I go home and feel a lot more accepted.

You could be reading to much into things if you haven't been around in a while they were probably wondering what you were up to(being nosey). And a pub with drink at xmas is a completely different atmosphere to meeting someone randomly in tesco.

Vojera wrote: »

Anecdotally I've heard from a few that there is a lot of anger towards No groups because of their posters. A lot of single parents feel insulted at the implication that their families are not good enough. Mind you, that's just in my little circle of family/friends, but maybe they didn't want to risk a lot of angry people in one place? It's different when you can walk away from someone's doorstep.

As a lesbian perhaps they where telling you what you wanted to hear/reassure you. Are they going to be offended when you can get married and be called a family under the constitution while even with children they are not? or will the conveniently forget the offence.

Flibbles wrote: »

Pretty much everyone that isn't a hardened 2 parent unit with only hardened 2 parent unit friends was offended by the posters being used.

Everyone who has ever adopted, been adopted, used or been a surrogate, is single with kids, widowed with kids, divorced with kids, or knows anyone who belongs to those groups is directly insulted by those posters.

All lone parents want to be a 2 parent unit so perhaps it's more jealously of their friends situation rather then genuine offence.

I'd say most children in those situations would love to know/have their biological father and mother together which I think is the point of the posters. It's the children rather then the parents feelings that's the heart of the no campaign.

Banjoxed

doc11 wrote: »

It's the children rather then the parents feelings that's the heart of the no campaign.

Nice to know that. The people who supported the Magdalen Laundries weren't too hot on Children's Rights back in the day.

Duddy

Poll added, now that I've figured out how to do it!

Maldesu

doc11 wrote: »

It's the children rather then the parents feelings that's the heart of the no campaign.

I disagree completely with that. It's just the idea they are putting forward rather than consideration of the children. If they really cared about children, they'd encourage tolerance, acceptance and integration of all persons.

I've heard a lot of the 'won't you think of the children' stuff about the referendum and one of the main topics is how this will impact gay kids, which is important. But I also wonder what it will say to the straight kids, particularly if its not passed - will bullying get worse? Is harassment of gays kids now justified? Are kids with one parent now fair game?



Back on topic - I've no idea how Donegal will vote. I've not been home but I will be to vote. When I was back a few weeks ago, there was a Yes meeting in Letterkenny, but the No campaign had the place plastered in posters. I'm hoping it passes though, but there is that bit of doubt

Ave Sodalis

I really think it will be a No vote. I had hopes of it being a Yes vote but they were squashed somewhat by a status on Facebook put up by a young lad (20/21ish) advocating a No vote. The lad is fairly popular and the status got over 50 likes and some of the comments were horrendous, things like "I'm voting No, want none of those gays near me" and things like that.

NIMAN

Lets hope bigots like that don't actually take the time to vote so.

Vojera

doc11 wrote: »

You could be reading to much into things if you haven't been around in a while they were probably wondering what you were up to(being nosey). And a pub with drink at xmas is a completely different atmosphere to meeting someone randomly in tesco.

No, I don't think so. These are people who have previously not spoken to me when I've been in the pub with my family. It was purely to see the "wife" they were over

doc11 wrote: »

As a lesbian perhaps they where telling you what you wanted to hear/reassure you. Are they going to be offended when you can get married and be called a family under the constitution while even with children they are not? or will the conveniently forget the offence.

Nah, they know me well enough that there's no need to try to sugar coat things for me. I'm the one telling them that I'm not confident of it passing and that they need to get out and vote.

As for the offence, the difference is that single parents and their children are already classed as a family by our constitution, whether Iona and their ilk think so or not. And I'm confident that if the referendum passes that the no voters still won't see me and my partner as a family once we get married, but we'll be equal under the law and that's all that matters.

Flibbles

doc11 wrote: »

All lone parents want to be a 2 parent unit so perhaps it's more jealously of their friends situation rather then genuine offence.

I actually have no words.

I'd say most children in those situations would love to know/have their biological father and mother together which I think is the point of the posters. It's the children rather then the parents feelings that's the heart of the no campaign.

Except the referendum has nothing to do with children having parents.

Fr D Maugire

Think it will be tight in Donegal and could easily see the No vote winning. I think there is still a strong enough conservatism in Donegal that will reject the vote. Remember there is more of an older generation in Donegal who are stuck in their ways still and they are the strongest voters as well.

Both sides have shown poor form in canvassing, the No side for their misleading propaganda regards children, adoption etc which this vote has nothing to do with. Also the promotion of what a traditional family unit should be on posters etc. That ship sailed a long time ago with single parents, separated parents with children marrying other separated parents etc, it is far removed from what the Catholic Church promote and they are leading the charge for the No vote.

On the Yes side, the disdain shown for anyone who chooses to vote No by the Yes side is highly disrespectful and undemocratic. Even if they have poor reasons for voting No, it is still their democratic right to do so. That is why it is a referendum in the first place. I think the attitude of the Yes side will push some to vote No. They may be seen to be wrong but it is their entitlement to be wrong and insulting them is not going to change their minds.

Madam

I hope there's an overwhelming yes for Donegal - it's time you were carried kicking and screaming into the 21st century(not all of you but those oul yins who are still stuck)! Out of my big number of cousins(who I'm in touch with) there's only one who admits he'll vote no:rolleyes:

NIMAN

Madam wrote: »

I hope there's an overwhelming yes for Donegal - it's time you were carried kicking and screaming into the 21st century(not all of you but those oul yins who are still stuck)! Out of my big number of cousins(who I'm in touch with) there's only one who admits he'll vote no:rolleyes:

You say that as if it would be disapproved of if a relative decided to vote NO?

Do you not believe in someone having a different viewpoint to you?

Pique

NIMAN wrote: »

You say that as if it would be disapproved of if a relative decided to vote NO?

Do you not believe in someone having a different viewpoint to you?

I assume she means that she would be disappointed to think a relative doesn't want to or agree with allowing gay people to have the same legal rights to marry as everybody else.

Which is what the referendum is about.

NIMAN

... which is that relatives right.

Ave Sodalis

NIMAN wrote: »

... which is that relatives right.

As it is the right of the poster to disapprove. Respecting rights and respecting opinions are two different things.

2moreMinutes

I'm hoping we change our habit of a lifetime and actually vote yes for a change.

I haven't seen any campaigners call to my door but I agree with a previous poster in that a lot of yes campaigners are actually sickening to listen to. The no campaigners are more sickening though so I'm not surprised they haven't bothered calling door to door.

I have aunts & uncles who will be voting no even though they have gay (extended) family members so I really can't call how Donegal will vote.

Madam

NIMAN wrote: »

You say that as if it would be disapproved of if a relative decided to vote NO?

Do you not believe in someone having a different viewpoint to you?

Not at all - I was being a little facetious, as in there's always someone who's different in a family or who likes to shake other members up a bit(this person is a real wind up merchant but in a nice way most of the time). I don't live in Donegal(not for a long time)why would I have a beef with someone who voted the way they feel? I gave an opinion in how I would vote if I still lived there nothing more:) Hopefully you'll all still get on with each other after the vote - much like we had to in Scotland after the referendum!

Pique

Hopefully you'll all still get on with each other after the vote - much like we had to in Scotland after the referendum!

water-man

I will be voting No.

The referendum should be adding civil partnership to the constitution.

If we were adding civil partnership to the constitution I would vote yes but as it is about re-defining marriage I will be voting no.

Same sex partnerships have all the protection they need under civil partnership - property, pensions etc. This needs to be added to the constitution.

Marriage does not and should not be re-defined.

WM.

Ave Sodalis

water-man wrote: »

I will be voting No.

The referendum should be adding civil partnership to the constitution.

If we were adding civil partnership to the constitution I would vote yes but as it is about re-defining marriage I will be voting no.

Same sex partnerships have all the protection they need under civil partnership - property, pensions etc. This needs to be added to the constitution.

Marriage does not and should not be re-defined.

WM.

I'm just wondering if you're aware that there's actually a big difference between civil partnership and civil marriage, and that this referendum is not redefining marriage?

overshoot

sup_dude wrote: »

I'm just wondering if you're aware that there's actually a big difference between civil partnership and civil marriage, and that this referendum is not redefining marriage?

Something like 160 differences isn't it?

Tbh I just cant see any argument against it. Its equal rights in the eyes of the state. It wont be recognised by the catholic or any church so if its religious reasons... And he's up there... God can make his own judgement.
Lets face it if people followed that part of the bible there would be no pork or working on Sundays.

But... Its Donegal... So I fear the result. Heard a poll where they said its basically going to be if more than 45-50% turn out for a yes. Shows the importance this time!

An Ciarraioch

Rather surprised at the confidence for a Yes vote, here in Kerry North, Tralee will be a solid Yes, but the rural areas will probably tilt it narrowly into the No camp. Letterkenny has a decent population, but overall, one would have thought Donegal was more rural than Kerry. Still, hopefully I'm wrong on both counts!

Duddy

Canvassing today in Ballybofey - a good few No but more Yes, hopefully it'll be reflected in the polls

lulu1

It's a yes from me

spurious

Given the number of Donegal gay folk I know, if they can all get their families to support them, along with the right thinking folk, it will be a yes (and the sky will not fall in).

Pique

55:45 in favour of yes in this thread poll.

Let's see if we're representative..

retalivity

I'm not voting as i'm in dublin and my vote is in Donegal SW, couldn't get it switched in time.

That said, id not be surprised if Yes wins in Donegal, a lot of the older folk I know who I would have presumed would have been voting no are actually voting yes, including a couple of priests.

donegal.

Pique wrote: »

55:45 in favour of yes in this thread poll.

Let's see if we're representative..

the polls not how we'll vote but how we think the majority of others in donegal will vote.

John Doe1

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

Rather surprised at the confidence for a Yes vote, here in Kerry North, Tralee will be a solid Yes, but the rural areas will probably tilt it narrowly into the No camp. Letterkenny has a decent population, but overall, one would have thought Donegal was more rural than Kerry. Still, hopefully I'm wrong on both counts!

Apparently Donegal has 20,000 more than Kerry and Kerry has 9 towns over 1,000 while Donegal has 18. Still think Donegal will vote no and that will be pretty embarrassing ....

donegal.

27 out of 44 boxes in Donegal South West opened. Unofficial tally running Yes 54% Yes 46%

Marriage referendum tallies for Donegal NE still show 54% Yes and 46% No, after about a third of all NE boxes opened

NIMAN

Good to see a Donegal YES vote. We aren't so backward after all.

Donegal says YES, who'd have thunk it.