Irish ‘No’ campaigners release rage-inducing anti-equality video
By Will Stroude
As Ireland prepares to go to the polls ahead of the country’s referendum on equal marriage later this month (May 22), anti-equality campaigners have released a rage-inducing new video to drum up support for the ‘No’ vote.
The animated short, courtesy of the delightful and increasingly desperate fellows over at Catholic advocacy group The Iona Institute, misleadingly claims that instead of bringing about equality, a ‘Yes’ vote will in fact create inequality – for children.
“We aren’t simply being asked to redefine marriage, we are being asked to redefine the family,” a chillingly perky voiceover informs us over a tinkly piano number.
“Two men can never give a child a mother and a father; two women can never give a child a mother and a father. If we vote yes on May 22nd, we will be forced to pretend that two fathers or two mothers are just the same as a mother and a father.
“This is why marriage equality is really inequality for children.”
The video ends with the delightful call to arms: “So if you think a mother’s love is unique and irreplaceable – and so is a father’s love – then vote ‘No’ on May 22nd.”
Irish TV presenter Darren Kennedy recently wrote for Attitude about the importance of Ireland voting ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, saying that the traditionally Catholic nation had a “chance to make world history”.
Meanwhile, BBC One’s Graham Norton, who grew up in County Cork, spoke out about the controversial Iona Institute last year, saying their views actually helped pro-equality campaigners.
“I’m actually glad… the Iona Institute exists,” the 52-year-old said. “The great thing about extremists is that they drag everyone towards the centre.”
Ireland’s referendum on equal marriage takes place in on May 22, in the world’s first national public vote on the issue.
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