Challenges for LGBTQ+ community 10 years after referendum

RTÉ News​

22-05-2025

This day 10 years ago, voters were asked whether they were in favour or against legalising same sex marriage in a referendum to change the constitution.
62% of voters approved the amendment to the Constitution of Ireland that would allow same-sex marriage, 38% voted against.
It was the first time a state legalised same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Thousands celebrated, including those who had travelled from overseas to vote.
Our Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely looks back at the campaign and examines challenges the LGBTQ+ community face.
The Upper Square of Dublin Castle has been the backdrop to many historic moments.
However, few have been charged with the emotion of that landmark result 10 years ago when the public voted for the legalisation of same sex marriage.
There were scenes of joy when the final result was announced.
62% of voters approved the amendment to the Constitution of Ireland that would allow same-sex marriage, 38% voted against it.
The anniversary of the referendum has offered campaigners on both sides a chance to reflect.
The co-director of the 'Yes Equality' campaign Brian Sheehan said he realised they might just do it when those who had travelled home to vote by boat arrived in Dublin Bay.
"The boat to vote people were crossing, sailing into Dublin Bay and somebody got up on the deck and sang 'She moved through the Fair', which has that beautiful line, 'it will not be long love till our wedding day', and I thought, OK, maybe we just can do it.
"But the scale of the result was astonishing. Irish people were fair and generous and inclusive and kind."
62% of voters said yes to marriage equality and 38% voted against. The turnout was 61%.
Magnanimous in defeat 10 years ago, Independent Senator Rónán Mullen who campaigned for the No side admits that the outcome was clear at the time.
In hindsight, he believes there was a sense of understanding and civility from both sides.
"I think broadly speaking the yes side were mostly quite understanding of no voters' concerns, particularly at the leadership level.
"Now, there were incidents where there was a certain amount of unfair accusations of homophobia towards people and that maybe a certain amount of cultural pressure as well online," he said.
Me Mullen added: "I think that was unhelpful, but for the most part, I think the debate took place very civilly between the different sides."
Bolstered by their unions through marriage, many gay couples decided to expand their families, but having children hasn't been straight forward for some.
While Ranae Von Meding and her wife are legally recognised as the parents of their eldest girls, their 16-month-old son has just one legal parent because of a change in the law in 2020.
She has lobbied hard for years to point out that the existing legislation is not fit for purpose and is excluding many children.
"I always bring it back to children because as a parent, yes, it's an inconvenience for me and we have to find work arounds and only one parent can sign certain things. But when you come down to it, it's the children who are affected.
"My son is being denied such a basic right that other children are given, which is a legal connection to the people who are raising him, and if anything, were to happen to me, he would be orphaned and that is not what people voted for 10 years ago."
Efforts to lobby successive governments and health ministers to change legislation has been gruelling.
"We are doing this for our children, but we have to remember that for the Government and the people in those positions that were put there, this is their job to engage and to fix this so that the children of Ireland can finally say that they're equal," Ms Von Meding said.
In 2015, few could have imagined that hate crimes and discrimination would seep into Irish society over the following decade, but this is a reality for many members of the community, particularly in the last four to five years.
LGBT Ireland CEO Paula Fagan believes it's a rollback on what was achieved.
"People are back feeling unsafe and not wanting to be out because of fear for their safety.
"So that's a real rollback and I think it's that's why it's so important that the government and politicians and society keep pushing for progress," Ms Fagan said.
Campaigners have the next 10 years is about reigniting the positivity and hope of 2015.
Brian Sheehan believes Ireland's EU Presidency next year could offer an opportunity.
"It's an opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership and stand firm for EU LGBT people to show that they're valued and respected and will be treated equally.
"The Irish people gave a mandate to the Irish Government to do that," Mr Sheehan said.
He added: "We need the courage to stand up for those who are not being treated well in our lives around us at the moment and I think that matters, whether you're LGBT, there's a rollback on women's rights, there's a rollback on rights from minorities for people of colour, and I think that's the kind of space we have to mind.
"We have to mind the good bits of Ireland, and therein lies the victory in the referendum. That isn't done yet."