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Ireland has first-in-world national referendum on gay marriage [Update: Yes Wins]

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K

Keyser Soze

Member
The oven gloves are out, shit is getting serious...

0EHDbEW.jpg
 
M

Macadinho

Banned
Gotta love Europes far right MEP's pulling this crap...

In an open letter to the President of the European Parliament on May 19, several MEPs have asked its President, Martin Schulz, to intervene against the referendum.
“As you might be aware of, the Irish citizens will vote this Friday 22 May in a referendum aimed at amending the Irish Constitution… unfortunately, a climate of fear and intimidation has pervaded throughout the campaign, creating electoral conditions that are far from free and fair,” it writes.
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http://www.independent.ie/irish-new...mpaign-call-for-eu-intervention-31242597.html
 
T

The One Who Knocks

Member
operon said:
The divorce referendum is so long ago, Ireland is a different country to back the.
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It is thankfully, but the fear the vote ends up similarly tight lingers. Perhaps it's unwarranted, but it is certainly better to retain some degree of worry as complacency, more than anything, is the largest threat to the Yes Vote which would otherwise be a certainty.

Also, regarding the "Ginger" poster, it's an edit. The actual poster reads "A Mother's Love is Irreplaceable: Vote No" or something along similar lines.
 
R

RangerX

Banned
I just got back from the polling station a few minutes ago. Voted yes of course and it will really depend on the turnout how it goes. If theres a high turnout it will be a resounding yes victory but people over 65 are more likely to get out and vote and they are more inclined to vote no. Still I think it will pass. I can't wait to see Gay,lesbian and trans citizens of our country get the same rights that I have and have them protected in the constitution. Theres been a lot of fear mongering here about children and surrogacy but the real issue here is equality and human rights. A loving family is all a child needs.
 
S

Shake Appeal

Member
It's pretty fucked that I'm unable to vote in this because I live abroad, but whatever. I also have very conflicted feelings over having a referendum on minority rights, but whatever. It's a beautiful thing, and it's looking promising. #HomeToVote on Twitter is incredible to watch.

GoonerTRON said:
LOL you have to be kidding? Do underage drinkers just carry around Bibles to get into pubs?
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Drinking age in Ireland is 18 and selectively enforced. ;)
 
D

Dazzler

Member
I noticed pub closing hours are pretty selectively enforced these days in Dublin too when I was home last month.

Really great vibe around the city these days
 
M

Macadinho

Banned
Dazzler said:
I noticed pub closing hours are pretty selectively enforced these days in Dublin too when I was home last month.

Really great vibe around the city these days
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Yeah most pubs "supposedly" close at 2am but once you're in the door they'll keep serving to 5am. As long as there's no trouble that comes from it it's not really enforced
 
H

Herne

Member
Got back from voting about an hour ago, it was very quiet but then it is out in the countryside. I imagine it'll be busier later in the evening when people are back from work.

Didn't see any bible, though apparently they're there - and I can't believe I read this on RTÉ, but I did - for swearing an oath on in case you forget your id. Bleh...
 
C

chalkitdown1

Member
Can't vote myself as I'm abroad and, stupidly, expats are not allowed to do so at present. Hoping for a massive Yes win later tonight but you never know with the propaganda and fear-mongering the No fuckheads were peddling in the run up to today.
 
H

Higgins113

Banned
Unfortunately the exact wording of the proposed change is transphobic and problematic, it re-enforces sex/gender binaries by not distinguishing between sex and gender. Maybe that can change in a future referendum
 
G

gofreak

GAF's Bob Woodward
Voted. Done done done.

If you're in Ireland and thinking 'ah...it'll pass', don't be complacent. Based on an admittedly stereotypical profiling of the people at the polling station when I was there, I think this will be very very close indeed.

Get out and vote! NOW! (pls)
 
E

Enter The 36 Chambers

Member
Higgins113 said:
Unfortunately the exact wording of the proposed change is transphobic and problematic, it re-enforces sex/gender binaries by not distinguishing between sex and gender. Maybe that can change in a future referendum
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What does this mean exactly? How are the the changes transphobic?

Edit: that heat map is awesome!
 
S

SolidusDave

Member
RavenholmDX said:
I'm just going to post this too, which my GF took this morning.

BZ6FdqB.jpg
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I like how it goes from somewhat real-world concerns about adopted children (which is still better than not being adopted at all as this will surely improve the adoption rates) to GOD WILL DESTROY ALL OF IRELAND WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE AND YOU WILL DROWN IN THE BLOOD OF YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!11111111 WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

*ahem* excuse me, that slipped out.
 
E

Enter The 36 Chambers

Member
You Are Viewtiful said:
Imagine if you were a minority group and your basic rights were being voted on - "do these guys deserve a base level of dignity?". That's never cool.
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Imagine living in Ireland.

Where to change ANY part of our constitution there is a referendum held.

I'm personally more than happy that we always get a vote when it comes to making any changes.
 
I

ivysaur12

Banned
Macadinho said:
Voter turnout is apparently well up on norms, this outcome isn't the least bit certain yet
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The higher the turnout, the higher probability the Yes side will take it.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0522/702917-referendums/

Turnout so far in most areas is well ahead of what it was in recent referendums.

The figures so far show a strong turnout in Dublin; more than 30% had cast their votes in some areas this afternoon.

Across the country too, turnout is well ahead of previous referendums.

In Sligo and Leitrim, many polling stations were reporting figures of 30% by mid-afternoon.

The same was true of Waterford City where turnout was 7% higher this evening compared to the local elections.

Voter turnout in Co Cork is described as being at general election levels.

In parts of Carlow-Kilkenny, where voters also have a by-election, more than 35% of the electorate had already voted by late afternoon.

All this before the tea-time and last-minute rush has led to some polling staff to predict a 60% plus final turnout figure.
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The Referendum Commission also asked voters to not take 'selfies' in the polling station.
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B

boiled goose

good with gravy
Griss said:
The downside to living abroad - you can't vote!

Also, lol at anyone thinking Ireland is a religious country anymore. Someone being 'Catholic' is an identity at this point rather than any indication that they go to church or even believe in God. I used to live with my brother and cousin. They'd both fiercely defend their Catholic status while outright claiming not to 'really' believe in god, but while still feeling 'spiritual'.

I only ever met two young adults while in high school all the way to college who went to church voluntarily.

Anyway, this will pass without issue. Hopefully it does something to clear up our reputation. One of my two closest friends in high school was gay, so I'm happy for him.



I don't understand this line of thinking. In a democracy shouldn't the majority have a say over how society is run? Why should the opinions of the minority outweigh those of the majority? Because they're 'right'? Well, by whose standards?

I'm also not sure that
a) Human rights actually exist (and yes, this is a highly semantic and legal argument), or
b) That state or church sanctioned marriage is or should be a human right

And all of that is coming from someone who supports gay marriage and would vote yes, and whose whole family will be voting yes.
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It is decided by their own standards.

Legislative branches make laws and judicial branches interpret.

People will agree they want equal protection under the law. You can't have that and say some groups don't count.

Majority opinion on a single issue is irrelevant. We have all decided laws should be fair and have also agreed upon certain minimal human rights as part of our social contract
 
B

Booser

Member
Voted yes this morning. Despite being straight myself I'm surprisingly nervous about this. I feel like this vote has a more profound effect then an election which has more of a "same circus different clowns" outcome. Especially when the eyes of the world are on us now.

Vote Irish GAF!
 
F

FortuneFaded

Member
Booser said:
Voted yes this morning. Despite being straight myself I'm surprisingly nervous about this. I feel like this vote has a more profound effect then an election which has more of a "same circus different clowns" outcome. Especially when the eyes of the world are on us now.

Vote Irish GAF!
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Do you realise what you have done? If Yes wins, you will no longer have contact with your parents, you will be randomly assigned to a homosexual couple who will continue the role as 'parents' and they will try to convert you into their life of sin.
 
I

ICKE

Banned
ivysaur12 said:
.
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The result of identity politics. People want to feel good about themselves so they vote for this referendum even if the ramifications are rather marginal in their daily lives (this applies to most people regardless if they vote yes or no). Will be interesting to see the results though. It would be a surprise if the no vote wins but one should never underestimate the amount of social conservatives in any country.
 
B

Booser

Member
FortuneFaded said:
Do you realise what you have done? If Yes wins, you will no longer have contact with your parents, you will be randomly assigned to a homosexual couple who will continue the role as 'parents' and they will try to convert you into their life of sin.
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Fuck!!!!!!
 
C

CitizenVectron

Member
Higgins113 said:
The exact wording says "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex." It should be gender instead
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I don't think it matters as everyone has a physical sex, so this includes everyone. The wording could be made different in a variety of ways, but this particular wording still includes everyone. Yes there are various genders, but all of them include a physical sex, so it doesn't matter I think.
 
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