Lately, I have been noticing a trend in social media surrounding the repeal of the 8th Amendment, today in particular in reaction to comments from Leo Varadkar about having an alternative in place for the current legislation before asking people to vote. The trend has been to draw parallels between the mindset and intentions of the Irish people, with regards to the likelihood that a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment would have a similar outcome to the Marriage Referendum. Our coveted and prided Yes vote represented more than the obvious, giving gay and lesbian people in Ireland the right to legally get married, it was also our first real tangible affirmation that Catholic Ireland was coming to an end. We, the people of Ireland, made a clear decision in favour of marriage equality and were the first country to do so by popular vote, as mandated by our catholic constitution.
There is some merit to this argument in relation to the 8th Amendment, we have proven that we can throw off the shackles of our constitution to bring ourselves into line with the modern world. However to simply assume that we will vote yes this time around just because we did last time is unwise. Unfortunately, 40% of people who voted in the Marriage Referendum voted No, and the issue of abortion rights is easily a more contentious, emotive and derisive issue. Most people in Ireland know at least one person who is LBGT. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of available statistics for the percentage of Irish women who have had an abortion, but I would hazard a guess that most people know somebody who's had an abortion too. The major difference is that in the last few years, there has been a huge increase in the mainstream popularity of gay culture, and thankfully, often with positive connotations. That is certainly not the case for abortion, even the most liberal of cultures don't celebrate abortion (obviously, because its health care).
I am 100% pro choice, but we have to acknowledge that the people of this country were oppressed and indoctrinated by the catholic church in every aspect of their lives for decades and while that has faded and we might not feel like this mindset belongs in our society or our constitution anymore, the simple fact of the matter is that it does. Plenty of people find the idea of abortion, in any circumstance unacceptable, and will eagerly tell you a story about somebody who 'choose life' and 'found great strength'. On a personal level, I don't agree that this is relevant to the discussion, because that choice will be respected by a repeal, and believe that our lack of abortion rights constitutes a human rights abuse, but I think that its important that we are at least aware of the oppositions deeply rooted beliefs and opinions and how far these roots spread in society.
I know that I along with a large percentage of younger people in Ireland can easily isolate ourselves in a liberal bubble where we only expose ourselves to the reality that we choose. I personally have to challenge myself by exposing myself to ideals and opinions that I find abhorrent in addition to ones that match my own outlook. To ignore that a group of people feels a certain way is not progressive and will not actually mean a Yes vote in a possibly up coming referendum on the 8th Amendment. I urge you to not simply disregard the suggestion that maybe we do need to have a conversation about what will replace the 8th, because this does not have a black and white outcome like the marriage referendum did, the 8th Amendment is mired in shades of grey and and much as I hate to agree with Fine Gael, minister Varadkar, might have a point this time.
