In most of our lives, it’s a given that our families want the best for us. If the best for us is the right to marry a person of the same sex does that still ring true?
Trinity College Dublin’s Students’ Union decided to test this theory out by asking students to ring on older member of their family to discuss the same-sex marriage referendum and which way they were planning to vote in a campaign called #RingYourGranny.
During the university’s Rainbow Week, which celebrates diversity among its students, they encouraged students to ensure they are on the register of electors and released the video #RingYourGranny for marriage equality.
The video sees a number of Trinity students ringing close members of family to discuss the upcoming referendum. Some receive assured supportive responses while others are not so sure. Some of the students ringing are visibly nervous and responses range from “of course I will” to “people would have to be informed and people would have to be given the other side.”
Trinity Students’ Union tell their students, “If we want to play a part in this referendum, the simplest way is to talk about it with those who aren’t as sure.”
The university’s campaign encouraged others to take up the baton and YouTuber James Mitchell decided to follow suit, ringing his grandmother and, for the first time in his life, discussing with her his sexuality and the topic of same-sex marriage. Mitchell wished to film the chat for his YouTube channel and is nervous as he makes the difficult call to ask his Granny if she will vote yes on May 22.
Spoiler alert: James’ gran is still his number one fan telling him "You don't need to ask me that question, I have been behind you 100% from the day that you come out."
A beautiful endearing display of family love, this video should be watched with a box of tissues close at hand.
Former government minister, Pat Carey, has already spoken out about the importance of communication with older generations on marriage equality.
Carey, the Minister for Equality until 2011, officially came out to the Irish public last February, aged 67, stating that "Maybe my perspective might be helpful to people my age. I'd say there are lots of men and women of my generation who have the same difficulty that I had in trying to come to terms with how you articulate your gender issues."
Ireland is set to vote on the same-sex marriage referendum on May 22.
If the same-sex marriage referendum a simple question of a clash of beliefs between generations? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
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