Congratulations Ireland

It Ain't Necessarily So May 23, 2015

On Saturday 23rd May 2015 love, compassion, humanity and equality triumphed over bigotry and hatred in Ireland.

Bringing forth a landslide victory, the people of Ireland flooded to the polls to vote on the matter of same sex marriage. Some came from far afield - Thailand, New Zealand, America - prompting the touching hashtag #HomeToVote. And in so doing they ensured that any two people in love, who decide they wish to commit their lives to one another, will be allowed to engage in the social, cultural and legal institution of marriage. And this, a mere two decades after homosexuality and divorce were legalised in their homeland. Good work, people of Ireland!

We at IANS wish to congratulate: the people of Ireland on their good judgment, the many engaged couples soon to be newly-weds, and the LGBTQ+ community across the world. We rejoice: a good day for love is a good day for all of us.

- Editor in Chief, Rebecca Hewer.
Creative Director, Nichole Fernández.

This article was written as a part of LGBT Week 2015 in honor or Ireland's marriage referendum. Find out more here.

Morality in Marriage

Lilian Kennedy May 22, 2015

The particular circumstances surrounding the upcoming referendum regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ireland has led me to think more deeply about the abstract issue of morality. Marriage is a unique issue in Ireland, and highlights the contentious tensions particular to both its government and people.

Interrogating the Irish Marriage Equality Campaigns: Where are the Voices of Young People?

Bryce Bahler May 21, 2015

The upcoming marriage equality referendum in Ireland is being heralded as historic, not just for the country itself, but for the global effort to realize equality and human rights for LGBTQ people. What is particularly interesting to me as child researcher, is the way in which both sides of the debate have situated children and young people in their campaigning.

The Disillusion of the Binary

Katie Hartin May 20, 2015

Talking about gender and identity has become nearly mainstream practice, a stepping-stone in the course of getting to know someone. Sex, gender, and sexuality no longer align in a straightforward fashion with roles becoming prescribed essentially at birth.

Sticks and Stones: LGBT Street Harassment

Nichole Fernández May 19, 2015

I am an unwavering and proud supporter of marriage equality. I’m frustrated that it is taking so long to happen but I am proud of the momentum the cause has gained in the past few years. That being said, I do have issues with the way marriage equality is sometimes portrayed as the end goal for the LGBT movement.

The Birth Pangs of a Right: Who owns marriage?

Martin Loeng May 18, 2015

In this, my contribution, to the exciting IANS coverage of the same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland, I will dive under the debate. Rather than wade through the bewildering currents that are the various arguments for or against constitutional amendment in Ireland, I will look at the ideological undercurrents at work here.

A brief introduction to the marriage equality referendum

Chris Crockford May 15, 2015

In 2013 a constitutional convention was held in Ireland to discuss proposed amendments to the Irish constitution. One of the issues discussed was that of same-sex marriage. The proposal pertaining to that matter was a success and on May 22nd, two years after the convention was held, Ireland is set to vote on same-sex marriage.