Irish LGBT warned of increased homophobia as referendum date set
By Ryan Love
The Irish government has announced that it will hold a referendum on same-sex marriage on May 22nd.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed the date, with campaigning on both sides now underway in the Republic.
The “clear and precise” proposal put to voters will read: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”
Meanwhile, the LGBT community has been warned to be vigilant when using dating apps such as Tinder, Grindr and Plenty of Fish, after a number of attacks were reported.
One woman told the Irish Examiner that her friend had been attacked by a group of men when he had arranged to meet in a Cork city centre location. The man managed to escape after being ambushed by four or five men who had jumped from a van when he arrived.
James Upton, auditor of University College Cork’s LGBT society warned that he believes the months leading up to the referendum will see an increase in physical and verbal homophobic attacks.
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