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
Fundraiser Drag Brunch in Panti Bar cooked up by The Cake Café
Golden eggs served up at a fundraiser brunch
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.
Street art
Spotted off Frances Street, Dublin 8, south-inner city. Love is love. Vote Yes.
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.
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!
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'.
Jo and Jill's big day - May 2015
Support for the yes vote for Ireland's gay marriage referendum.
'Vote Yes' graffiti
The cover of a tech shop
#BEMYYES
The diaspora have no vote. Don't waste yours. Vote YES for Equality!
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
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.
'Vote No' posters
Rhetoric of the 'no' side
YES campaign bus
The YES campaign bus got a great reception
