Sinn Féin launches Yes campaign in Dundalk

Gerry Adams with Sinn Féin councillors and activists at today’s Yes campaign launch in the Market Square

Local TD Gerry Adams today launched Sinn Féin’s Yes campaign for the two referendums taking place on May 22^nd.

The Sinn Féin leader and local County Councillors and activists took to Clanbrassil Street, handing out Yes leaflets.

Commenting at the launch in the Market Square, Deputy Adams said: “In just five weeks’ time two referendums will be held. One is to reduce the eligibility age for a candidate for the Presidential elections. The second is on marriage equality. Sinn Féin is calling for a Yes vote in both referendums.

“We will be running a vigorous campaign. The party will be distributing around half a million leaflets; at least 5,000 posters and the party in every constituency will be carrying out a thorough canvas.

“In respect of the Marriage Equality Referendum, many of us will have a member of our family or extended family who is gay. All of us, whatever age we are or wherever we live or work, know someone who is gay.

“They want what we want – the right to live their lives as full and contributing citizens and to share in the love of a family of their own.

“A Yes vote for same sex-marriage is about recognising people’s right to equality; respecting their right to express their own sense of identity; and is about affirming their right as citizens to be free, equal and happy.

“There is a possibility that some citizens who are so angry at this government will see this as an opportunity to hurt Fine Gael and Labour. I would appeal to them not to do this. This referendum is not about those parties it is about the rights and entitlements of our family members, our friends, our neighbours and workmates.

“Nor should those who support these referendum be lulled by the opinion polls into believing that these referendum will easily succeed. This is not a time for complacency. Every vote will count.

“I would also appeal for everyone to join the campaign for a Yes Vote. If you feel you can’t become part of any of the formal campaigns being organised then become part of the informal campaign. Talk to your friends, to your workmates, to your family and neighbours and ask them to vote Yes. Text them. Facebook them. Use Twitter. Let’s get the biggest vote possible and ensure that on May 22^nd both referendums are passed.”

Talk of the Town pledges support to Dundalk’s Yes campaign for marriage equality

Easter is on the horizon and with it will come the annual 1916 Rising commemorations around the country.

Once it passes the build up to the centenary of that now famous event in our history will begin.

Ireland has come a long way in the last 99 years. The country has certainly had its ups and downs since then but that’s all the more reason why it’s good to reflect on the words of the Proclamation every now and then to see how far we have strayed from the ideals of its seven signatories, who summoned Irishmen and Irishwomen to strike “for her freedom.”

The Republic of Ireland that the Proclamation dreamt about guaranteed “religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all citizens and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally.”

Of course, that statement was more in relation to Ireland achieving freedom than anything else but its words still have meaning almost 100 years on.

The country goes to the polls on May 22^nd to vote on marriage equality.

Thankfully we have come a long way over the years and it’s now recognised that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are part of our society.

They are no different to any of us. We all come in different shapes and sizes, have different beliefs and different personalities. That is all openly accepted, so why shouldn’t marriage equality?

After all the Proclamation didn’t seek to omit anyone when it spoke of “equal rights and equal opportunities for ALL citizens.”

The document might be from a time that only a very small portion of our population can actually recall but it was forward thinking enough to mention “Irishmen and Irishwomen” at a time when women had little or no say.

That was one injustice that was overcome and on May 22^nd we can take another huge step towards creating a greater nation by voting Yes.

We all deserve a bit of love in our lives.

Why should anyone be denied something that most people dream about from a young age?

We live in a country of equals with a constitution that entitles each and every one of us to amongst other things: personal liberty, freedom of expression, the right to fair procedures, the rights of the family and equality before the law. Surely, our constitution is not being fairly enforced if people in our LGBT community are being denied the right to love one another.

It’s time to remove one of the last few barriers of inequality in our society.

Hopefully by the time Easter 2016 comes around we will be able to bin the phrase ‘gay marriage’. Marriage is marriage, just as love is love.

No one chooses their sexual preference, but you can choose to support the choices of others.

Talk of the Town is delighted to proclaim our support to the Yes campaign for the forthcoming Marriage Equality Referendum on Friday May 22^nd 2015.

We don’t often get to play a part in changing the course of our country’s history. Now is your chance.

Rainbow flag given permanent status on Dundalk IT campus

Dundalk IT Students’ Union raise the flag at the campus yesterday

Yesterday was a highly significant day in Dundalk IT as students raised a rainbow flag at the front of the campus.

The flag not only serves to show their support for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality Referendum on May 22nd but also reminds all students that the campus is a safe place that celebrates the uniqueness of every student.

Before raising the flag, the DkIT Students’ Union set a target of 1,000 signatures to highlight the support throughout the campus for the initiative. This target was surpassed with ease with almost 2,000 signatures secured in just one day.

Speaking at the unveiling of the flag, DkIT Student Union president Brian Fitzpatrick was keen to stress the importance of the gesture. He said: “Equality plays a central part in how we operate in DkIT. I feel that this flag has two importances. Firstly, we hope it will serve as a reminder to staff, students and the local people of Dundalk to get out on May 22nd and vote ‘Yes’ for Marriage Equality. Secondly, it sends out a strong message to all current and prospective students that DkIT is a safe place to be different and to celebrate your uniqueness and be proud of who you are.

“Although the flag has been raised in the run up to the referendum, it will remain in place long afterwards to remind all students, current and prospective, that DkIT is a welcoming campus for all,” said Brian.

Also present at the raising of the flag was John Ruddy from Dundalk Outcomers who spoke of his delight at the new addition to the Dundalk campus.

“We are immensely proud of the DkIT students,” he said.

“This makes a strong statement for the inclusion of all students and support for the more vulnerable ones. We’re delighted with this great show of support for the upcoming referendum. We hope all students across the region will follow the lead of DkIT and use their vote on May 22nd.”