'A vote for social change': readers' views on Ireland's gay marriage referendum

http://www.theguardian.com/world/guardianwitness-blog/2015/may/22/a-vote-for-social-change-readers-views-on-irelands-gay-marriage-referendum

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Rather than passing a marriage equality legislation in parliament, Ireland are holding a historic referendum on gay marriage today. This historic decision gives the very people affected by the ruling a voice. From creative street art to colourful campaign buses and choir singing, our readers have documented the Irish mood ahead of the referendum.

James Connolly welcomes in a new era in Ireland

At the Amnesty International launch of their 'Yes' campaign

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By AnnaH25

21 May 2015, 12:41

Fundraiser Drag Brunch in Panti Bar cooked up by The Cake Café

Golden eggs served up at a fundraiser brunch

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By michellecake

18 May 2015, 16:16

Rainbow at the end of the canvass, North Dublin Suburbs

Positive response in North Dublin Suburb of Kilbarrack this evening. It was wet and cold however we were fretted by this beautiful rainbow at the end of the canvas. In one particular area, a local Roman Catholic priest committed to a yes vote. It was ironic that some of his elderly neighbours greeted me with a brief no and quickly shut their doors. Overall, the response on the doors has been 70:30 in favour of yes to marriage equality.

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By Eoin Hession

18 May 2015, 23:09

Street art

Spotted off Frances Street, Dublin 8, south-inner city. Love is love. Vote Yes.

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By Rob Lowney

20 May 2015, 18:33

Yes Equality

These great t-shirts supporting the Yes campaign are everywhere here in Dublin. A very visible act of solidarity with the gay community in this tumultuous time.

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By ConorFurlong

18 May 2015, 23:11

Gloria, Dubln's Lesbian and Gay Choir Support Yes to Equality

We've already come out! We want you to come out too! Come out and vote yes with us for a more equal Ireland! Yes to Love, Yes to Equality!

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By Richard Deane

19 May 2015, 12:30

The No Posters appearing in the Dublin

As the campaign draws to a close, the No campaign posters have moved from the 'soft sell' to the 'hard sell'.

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By guardianUser13315818

19 May 2015, 12:58

Jo and Jill's big day - May 2015

Support for the yes vote for Ireland's gay marriage referendum.

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By jonegrini

19 May 2015, 7:33

'Vote Yes' graffiti

The cover of a tech shop

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By AnnaH25

21 May 2015, 12:34

#BEMYYES

The diaspora have no vote. Don't waste yours. Vote YES for Equality!

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By Dee Guilfoyle

19 May 2015, 10:10

On the morning canvass commute! I say Yes to Equality

@RichardDeane77 says yes to equality, speech bubble by the wonderful David Caron of Out and About, Dublin's LGBT hiking group

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By Richard Deane

19 May 2015, 12:34

A Walking Tour of Dublin's LGBTQ History Stops on George Street

On May 17th more than seventy people attended a walking tour organised by myself, Sam Ford and Ronan Carey as a fundraising event for the Yes Equality campaign.

Here, I am photographed on an alleyway beside the George, a famous Dublin gay bar, explaining the Irish experience of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

The current referendum will undoubtedly become a significant part of how we retell contemporary Irish history. Appositely, we decided to support a Yes vote by recounting the story of what changes, events and individuals had brought us this far.

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By Maurice Casey

18 May 2015, 23:29

'Vote No' posters

Rhetoric of the 'no' side

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By AnnaH25

21 May 2015, 12:29

YES campaign bus

The YES campaign bus got a great reception

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By MayanEyes

19 May 2015, 18:34