WITH the build-up to Ireland’s historic same-sex marriage referendum heating up, activist groups around Britain and Ireland have been increasing their presence and having their say.
Ireland goes to the polls on May 22 for the referendum – with the public deciding on whether to legalise marriage, regardless of gender, as well as whether or not to lower the age for presidential candidacy from 35 to 21.
So far the yes vote seems to be winning the battle, with Paddy Power now placing odds of 1/8 on Ireland legalising gay marriage, versus odds of 9/2 on the no vote winning.
In Ireland the debate is heating up as more and more well-known personalities toss their hat into the ring.
Just this week Dublin football star Ger Brennan publicly pinned his colours to the no vote, citing his opinions on the parenthood of a child as his biggest reason.
Meanwhile on Friday (May 15) TV3's political editor Ursula Halligan 'came out' for the first time in an open letter in which she also supported a yes vote.
Here in Britain several groups are encouraging the Diaspora community to choose a side in the referendum and use their vote where possible.
Some of the most active Irish groups in Britain are listed below:
Get the Boat 2 Vote
Meath native Joey Kavanagh set up the Get the Boat 2 Vote initiative earlier this year, to encourage people to go back to Ireland and use their vote.
Change Ireland
Lorcán Ó Catháin, a London School of Economics student from Athlone, set up this initiative in a bid to partially fund the trip home for those who cannot pay the fare and want to use their vote.
We’re Coming Back
This organisation is dedicated to lobbying the Irish Government on allowing the Diaspora across the world to vote in general – and a major part of the 2015 focus is on the marriage referendum, to allow the Irish in Britain to exercise their vote.
Mind Yourself
This charity supports the Irish community in London – with particular attention paid to mental and physical health. Mind Yourself has called on the Irish in London to vote yes, as part of their work with the LGBT community.
