Mind Yourself, one of our Community Member organisations have released a statement on the upcoming Marriage Equality Referendum. Since its inception, the charity has sought to fill the gaps in existing services for Irish migrants in London, often working with LGBTQ people and others who traditionally felt excluded from the wider community.
Mind Yourself Official Statement on Marriage Equality Referendum
On Friday the 22nd of May, Ireland will go to the polls to vote on the Marriage Referendum. We see this referendum as another pivotal point in the maturing of Irish society. Ireland has the chance to make history by voting yes and change the lives of many of our citizens by granting them marriage equality. In 2013, Mind Yourself and Irish in Britain assembled a meeting to investigate whether the London Irish community wanted to contribute to the constitutional convention for marriage equality in Ireland. There were 16 people in attendance and the group agreed to make a submission to the convention to outline the support our community had for a referendum. Following the submission of the statement, developed by Mind Yourself, a referendum was granted.
Mind Yourself recently met with a strong advocate for the yes vote, Panti Bliss, in London after her show High Heels in Low Places in the Soho Theatre. Panti Bliss has had a tremendous influence on social media and the Irish newspapers with her support of the yes vote and constant engagement with the Irish LGBT community at home and abroad. In recent days, an online campaign has gained momentum amongst the Irish Diaspora abroad, as they take to social media to influence the population of Ireland to “Be My Yes”. Unfortunately, for a large majority of Irish people wanting to vote, they will not be able to have their say on May 22nd.
Claire Barry, Director Mind Yourself said; “It will come as no surprise that Mind Yourself are supporting a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum. Since we were established in 2012, we have worked hard to ensure that we are representatives of the whole London Irish community and we support equal opportunities for all our members. However, it is important that we make a clear statement of support for a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum on May 22nd.”
Cecily Maher, Facilitator Mind Yourself – Irish LGBT Group said; “At Mind Yourself, we’re encouraging people to vote YES for equal marriage in the upcoming referendum. A positive outcome would not only be great for Ireland, but it would also be a momentous occasion for all Irish LGBT individuals who had to leave their homeland to escape the stigma around their sexuality. The members of our LGBT group have expressed their pride at seeing the huge support for the campaign and look forward to seeing an Ireland where people don’t have to leave because of who they love.”
Mind Yourself has a strong reputation of supporting the Irish LGBT community in the UK and Ireland. We host a monthly meeting for members of the group to meet, support one another and generally facilitate individuals to feel a part of a community. Please contact 020 7250 8100 for further details.
For more information about the Mind Yourself charity, please visit our website www.mind-yourself.co.uk