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“IRELAND IS A fantastic beacon of hope to other countries who are now what we were like in the 1980s and 1970s,” said Kieron Rose from the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).
Following Saturday’s same-sex marraige referendum result, Ireland has hit the headlines around the world.
However, while many countries have same-sex marriage, many do not, and Ireland is being seen as a blueprint of how to forward the agenda in these countries.
Rose told TheJournal.ie that Saturday’s result “emphasises you can win a referendum like this. With determination you can deliver for your country”.
He said Ireland has sent out a hopeful message to other countries who are still struggling with inequalities for the LGBT community.
“There has been a hugely positive reaction from other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe,” he said.
ILGA
Brian Sheehan, co-director of the Yes Equality campaign said the world is watching Ireland, adding that representatives from the International lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association (ILGA) are over in Dublin to see the campaign in action.
“All have been inspired by the scale of the involvement and the 1.2 million people who voted for this,” he said.
He said the countries such as Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia are particularly keeping a close eye on events here, as they struggle to deal with marriage rights for gay people.
He said Poland is another key country taking a keen interest in Ireland, as it too is considered a “Catholic country” as Ireland often is.
Yesterday, Australia ruled out holding a referendum on gay marriage.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, the director of ILGA, Evelyn Paradis said the vote has “struck the imagination of countries outside Ireland, that such deep social change in the hearts and minds took place yesterday – it was amazing to see”.
She said it is particularly strong that it is coming from Ireland, a country that many may not consider or be known for having progressed on social issues very quickly.
“Ireland is sending a real signal that change is possible.”
A game changer
Paradis said countries like Slovenia and Poland were particularly heartened by events in Ireland.
“I think it is going to be a real game changer for many countries in Europe.”
She commended the work of the Yes Equality campaign stating that they worked tirelessly to achieve their goal.
She said Ireland’s Yes campaign will be seen as a blue print for other nations on how to run a successful campaign.
“They really set the bench mark on how an equality campaign should be run. There have already been a number of requests from members of ILGA who want to hear more about how it all happened.”
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Nice to hear eastern Europe is keeping an eye on us this past historical weekend.
I heard Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Roscommon after the results.
More like their far-left political parties and media are, not the ordinary people of the country for the most part.
Putin may consideration attending any celebrations in Roosky!
….to be followed by a trip to see Borris in Ossery
Maybe Putin can give us a Bale Out when our banks need a new one
I wish people would stop having a go at the Roscommon/ South Leitrim vote. It is completely unfair to tar everyone with the same brush and on the 17,615 yes voters. The area has been decimated by emigration for generations. It has an ageing population and the Catholic church still has some influence with the older generation there. I’m from South Leitrim and I drove home from Limerick just to vote yes and it gets on my nerves when I see people calling us “backward” etc. I would have thought that after we killed off one stereotype of Catholic Ireland over the weekend that people would think twice before perpetuating stereotypes. How wrong I was.
To be renamed Ruscommon
The Economy is not fixed either. Better hope that Tech Bubble doesnt burst or there will be plenty of divorce settlements.
Fair play Aiden. A bigot towards Roscommon/South Leitrim, is the same in my eyes, as a bigot towards same sex marriage.
America is more anti gay than Russia. You can’t even admit to been a gay American soldier or you would be court marsheled
The Lesbian divorce battles are going to be epic
I have to agree. Most young people who voted yes in Roscommon drove from another county to do so. We can’t free one minority and create another. The government need to look at Roscommon and realise they’re doing nothing for the youth there. We must remember it was close is Cavan/Monaghan and Donegal too, probably for the same reasons.
Overall I have to say I’m delighted the referendum passed. It’s still taking time to realise I’m a full and equal citizen now. Thanks Ireland!
I hope Putin doesn’t do a Crimea on Roscommon.
Actually, on second thoughts…
Don’t ask don’t tell was repealed 4 years ago.
It is over, thank goodness. Now, The Journal, next topic please. Sick, sore & tired of the Marriage Referendum
Back to the ould water I spose pete
next up get religion out of schools
It’s odd that you don’t prioritise fixing the economy.
It makes the sheeple feel special for a while at least. Bless them.
I have to laugh at people saying ‘move on Journal’ ‘next topic please’ ‘I’m sick of this now’. We’ve just made history at home and around the world as recently as the weekend and they expect it to disappear from the news,you know on the App Store and Android you can download other news apps too right? You’d swear you are all prisoners in Guantanamo who are only allowed read one news website,cop on and if you don’t like it maybe you should ‘move on’ elsewhere,whiney bas**rds!!!
Oh shut up will you. It was only 2 days ago when one of the biggest events in Irish history happened. This is not abut that day but about the impact it’s having across the world. If you don’t want to read it don’t but keep your stupid comments to yourself. I’m sick of all these comments about it being over..It’s very very simple to keep scrolling down your phone screen!!! The effort you actually go to to write a comment is ridiculous..attention seeker!!! I bet you keep checking your comment to see how many green thumbs you get.
Change like this is easily achieved when every political party, celebrity and media outlet backs it. Not to mention foreign money giving a helping hand. If we want real change like removing Irish Water or exiting the EU, that’s a very different story. Do the LGBT community care about these issues? Where was the righteous indignation that most No voters experienced throughout this campaign, when our democractic will was ignored by EU bureuacrats and we were made vote again on Lisbon? We have people running around smiling now as if we’ve cured Cancer. Change is possible, but when it comes to real issues that affect our country, the crowd of PC sheep don’t want to know.
To gays this is like winning the world cup!! Ireland wouldn’t even go to work for a week if we won the world cup, and we would never stop talking about it. It hasn’t even been a week since we made history and you want people to shut up about it Peter? How about we let them bask in the glory of been equal with the rest of us for a bit more than two days. If you don’t like reading about it don’t read about it, but don’t be a spoilsprt!
Richard I want to move on had no interest what so ever except to vote on the day and this I and my family did , So go away.
“She said Ireland’s Yes campaign will be seen as a blue print for other nations on how to run a successful campaign.”
A blueprint on how to emotionally manipulate and bully a nation, using emotive buzzwords like “equality”, pushed by far-left media and foreign globalist finance into coercing a change in the policy of a sovereign independent people.
We know longer listen to the rapists of the Catholic Church and have come to the conclusion that the bible is nonsense and should not be used as a tool to rule people’s lives. We’re becoming a secular state and if you don’t like it you know where the door is.
Niall you sound like you’re trying to rule peoples lives, by your rules.
Not very inclusive there Niall.
I’m starting to think that many voting yes actually believed that after this referendum, catholicism was going to go away.
After 2000 years its not going anywhere.
When the dust has settled many will go back, because they will realise the emptiness of progressiveism.
I dare say followed by gay people too.
When the Catholic church changes people will go back.
No longer….
Niall
What mag did you pick your BS up from ?
“Aryan Light” (Lasair)… does it annoy you that Berlin is the gay capital of Europe?
So much for the Third Reich, eh?
David if the only way you can find a life of happiness and worth is with direction of others (Catholic church/any religion) then you are not being true to yourself. Religion is the man made obscure teaching of spirituality
Exactly Lasair. It also say’s that countries like Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia are struggling with sodomite marriage. The people of Croatia and Slovakia both voted against it, I suppose they must be confused by the definition of equality
It is a wonderful Country , I am most times proud to be Irish, but the mentality of the Government has to change we need now for them to start fighting our corner, our debts are nearly paid and we still come home at the end of the Month with lot less than we used to have we pay mor in this Country for amenities than other European Countries.
Well in fairness the majority of the polling booth selfie brigade don’t bother their arses voting in general elections or showing an interest in how the country is actually run which by the way when the confetti is swept away is far more important to every citizens everyday existence gay/straight
I’ve heard is said before that what No voters say as to why they are voting No ammounts to hate speech.
What if what the bible says about sin, is true, where a lot of catholic people are going.
Well I’ve seen the most subtlest form of hate, pushed by some voting advocating a yes vote.
David if you want to believe cities in the Old Testament were destroyed because of same sex couples that is up to you. I think tectonic plates or volcanos had more to do with it.
Druid thats an interesting thing to say, I could turn that back on you by saying, don’t you think, its more likely that marriage is to do with a man and a woman.
Your reasoning tells you one thing Druid, but it leads you down a blind ally.
How do you know for sure it was tecttonic plates volcanos, and how do I know marriage is between a man and a woman.
You see we use the same reasoning, only my claim has more evidence, where as yours “the tecttonic plates volcanos” doesn’t.
David the ancient Israelites didn’t have a clue about the science of earthquakes, volcanos etc. They thought the world was flat. So I’ll take modern science over a 3000 year old book thanks.
We are more than economy, change the discrimination in our school
Not over yet. We still have someone who will take the RC church to court for descriminstion for not wedding two of the same sex. Let’s wait and see how that will work out.
Asher, what makes you say a thing like that?
Straight people get married less and less in church, can’t see any gay couple doing something so untrendy!
Cute couple
Next referendum should be 1.equality for polygamists – finally end the tyranny of state imposed monogamy and 2. Legalise pot
Ever heard of a ménage a trois? There is no priest poking his way in the bedroom now, unless of course, you want him there!
Feckin Greeks again
As someone said before…can ya imagine if lesbians kissed in front of the camera
The man is stoking the furnace then if that’s the case.
Richard I did not go through Irish educational system but my two kids did . My Son now 26 years old never stayed in religion class in secondary school . The school or it maybe the priest on the phone to me telling me that he has to go to religion classes . I said no he does not have to ( at that time my English was a little worse ) I could not express my self as I could now . I had a word with my Son then So he did attend the clases but the priest did not like him . Shortly after my Son was on the phone to me from school crying that the priest acused of something bad during the class . Cannot remember what I saw my my Son crying the last time when he was about 5 years old this was when he was 18 . My Daughter is now in fift year and the priest comes in to their school and takes over two hours of praying . I think it’s a bit too much . I respect the every culture but I feel the church still has too much power . I know why and this happened many years ago that people had nothing else so they turned to the church but education is now more important in these days . The kids do not need two hours in one morning . One class a week should be enough .
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