Pictured Cllr Liam Doherty, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Padraig MacLochlainn TD, Pearse Doherty TD, Cllr Albert Doherty
DONEGAL Sinn Féin representatives have launched their ‘YES’ Campaign ahead of the referendum on Marriage Equality.
The official launch, which took place in the party’s new constituency office in the Riverside Retail Park in Letterkenny, was attended by Sinn Féin Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty, as well as a number of local Sinn Féin Councillors.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, the party’s Political Director for the campaign, stated that Sinn Féin in Donegal and across the state will vigorously campaign for a Yes vote ahead of the referendum on May 22nd.
He said: “This referendum is solely about marriage equality. It is about ensuring that our gay and lesbian citizens have the same right to marry the person they love as everyone else.”
“As a Republican party, Sinn Féin asserts that equality is at the very core of what we represent. Our party is committed to building a real Republic where social and economic equality are among the main measurements of our nation’s success.”
“In the next number of weeks, Sinn Féin will be vigorously campaigning across every constituency in this state, including right here in Donegal.”
“This is such a crucial issue and – as such – we will not be taking anything for granted ahead of this May’s referendum. We will be knocking on doors and calling on as many people as possible to get out and vote yes on May 22nd.”
“We are asking that the people of Donegal support this campaign and vote yes to equality because all citizens deserve the right to marry the person they love.”
Also speaking at the launch in Letterkenny, Deputy Pearse Doherty reiterated Deputy MacLochlainn’s remarks before adding that the Marriage Equality Referendum was all about love and respect and how it represented a chance for the Irish people to see the sentiments of the 1916 Proclamation brought to bear.
He said: “The referendum on May 22nd is about one thing and one thing only: This referendum is about love. As an Irish Republican, the starting point for all issues of human and civil rights is the 1916 Proclamation as well as the values, principles and core believes which it bears.”
“In their writing of the Easter Proclamation, our patriot dead subscribed to a certain vision for Ireland, one which, even today, is regarded to be not only both bold and romantic but virtuous, enlightened and all-inclusive.”
“If the Proclamation is to be fully realised, all citizens must enjoy full equality of rights and opportunities before the law, regardless of their background, their ethnicity, their gender and irrespective of their sexual orientation.”
“In essence, every citizen deserves the right to marry the person they love; the person they wish to spend their life with; to share their happiness with; to grow old with.”
“Therefore, I am calling on everyone to vote yes on May 22nd and – in doing so – we will show the world that the words of the Proclamation are indeed the will of the people and that the children of Ireland, be they gay, lesbian, transgender or straight, truly are cherished equally…”
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