I am straight, so it doesn’t affect me. I don’t have any particularly close gay friends.
But I am voting yes on Friday.
Yes, for equality. For basic dignity.
Who knows, whether my children will turn out to be gay? And if they are, then I want to be able to say, I did something that made a difference. Even just a small thing.
The outcome of the referendum won’t affect straight people. It won’t negatively impact on anyone if it is passed. But it will have a massive impact on the gay people of Ireland, now and in the future, if it fails.
I am not wholly confident of it passing, I see the no posters tugging at heartstrings and preying on people’s fears. I see the narrowing margins in the polls. I think there are no voters who don’t admit to being no voters, they may claim they’re afraid they’ll be villified for it, but really they just don’t want to be called upon to justify their no vote, because there simply aren’t any decent and justifiable reasons to vote no.
Vote, and vote yes. We have a chance to make this country better for all the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of society. Let’s not fuck it up.
I’ll be at the polling station on friday, with my children along with me so they learn about the voting process – I’ve already talked to my daughter about it and she’s gone to preschool wearing her yes equality badge. I *may* encourage them to choose rainbow clothes to wear on the day *ahem*.
But most importantly, I’ll be voting, and then waiting and hoping for a good result. Vote – every single one will count.