Longford celebrate 10 years of marriage equality
‘Make Grá the law’: Longford campaigner Síona Cahill reflects on the historic vote
Marking ten years since the referendum for same-sex marriage, Longford has shown to be continuing full support of the vote.
Síona Cahill (Carrickedmond) recently married her wife, Sarah Elaine McHugh, from Edgeworthstown. Síona coined the term “Make Grá the Law” in advance of the referendum on May 22 in 2015, and is also credited with registering thousands of students to vote.
Commenting on the anniversary, Síona said:
“One of the amazing things about marriage equality passing was genuinely feeling that my home county accepted you. For me, there’s been a visible embracing of LGBT in Longford.”
Once the referendum passed, Síona was asked about changes that she noticed in everyday life.
“In 2015. I felt comfortable holding hands with my girlfriend, who is now my wife, in public. Before 2015, I may not have done so much.”
Since the referendum, Longford has continued to show support and advocate for equality.
“The Longford Pride Parade committee and organisers did an amazing job last year to bring pride to Longford, and invite everyone to Longford to celebrate and mark how far we’ve come. Some people we knew and didn’t know came out to wave and pass along with banners and placards.”
Concerning what she would like to see in the future, despite great strives and successes, Síona added:
“I want to be really clear. We cannot go back to a situation where people’s love, relationships and identity is questioned. The LGBT community in Longford is tiny, and a threat to nobody. Everybody should come together to support it. The tone has changed in recent years. It’s important for families, young people coming out and adults who have worked hard.”
In Longford, Declan Donohue, a local barber at the time, ran and led the campaign for the marriage referendum. He was the main individual to have pushed for the referendum to be a yes vote.
The constituency of Longford/Westmeath voted in favour of the Thirty-Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 - Yes 53.6% (25,445) ; No 46.4% (22,025).
Síona has added that she believes that Longford should be a safe and accepting place for people who are LGBT.
Ten years on, and celebrating pride festivals, signs of change since the referendum have been clear. The Longford community have been supportive of LGBT people through its pride festival, which marks the positive outcome that a majority vote led to.
The vote has since changed many people's lives, to embrace who they are.