USI (Union of Students in Ireland) today welcomed the announcement of a referendum on equal access to civil marriage expected in 2015. USI looks forward to campaigning on this issue.
The USI has been an active advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights across many campaigns since the 1970’s, including decriminalisation in 1993. USI has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality for many years, re-affirmed by a unanimous mandate from USI Congress 2012.
USI launched its Student Elector Registration Database (SERD) earlier this year. This will be used to mobilise students to vote in upcoming elections and referenda, including the referendum on marriage equality.
Joe O’Connor, President of the Union of Students in Ireland said:
“USI will accept nothing short of full marriage equality for LGBT citizens, and following the recent announcements regarding a referendum in 2015, we will be campaigning heavily over the coming year for this to be held and passed. This is an issue that students across the country feel extremely strongly about, and we will be utilising our new Student Elector Registration Database (SERD) to mobilise students across the country for this forthcoming referendum”.
“It is high time that Ireland stopped talking about an equal society and started delivering on it. Marriage equality would be a fundamental step forward, and we would encourage all citizens to play their part in making this a reality”.
Notes to Editor:
Here is the submission USI made to the Constitutional Convention on marriage equality earlier this year: http://tinyurl.com/kbk83ax
For more information contact USI Communications & Research Executive Grainne O’Reilly on 087-6776636 or 01-9052100