Colin Farrell makes heartfelt plea for equal marriage in Ireland
Colin Farrell has made an emotional plea for people to register to vote in Ireland, ahead of the country’s referendum on same-sex marriage.
The Republic of Ireland, which introduced civil partnerships in 2011, is set to vote next May on extending civil marriage to same-sex couples.
The deadline for voter registration ahead of the ballots is this month, November 25 – with equality groups heading a drive to register young and disenfranchised voters ahead of the poll.
Minority Report star Colin Farrell – one of Ireland’s best-known actors – has today pleaded with voters to register before the deadline, so they can back marriage equality.
Writing in the Sunday World, he wrote:
“[My brother Eamon] was always proud of who he was. Proud and defiant and, of course, provocative.
“Even when others were casting him out with fists and ridicule and the laughter of pure loathsome derision, he maintained an integrity and dignity that flew in the face of the cruelty that befell him.
I don’t know where those bullies are now… but I do know where my brother is.
“He’s at home in Dublin living in peace and love with his husband of some years, Steven.
“They are about the healthiest and happiest couple I know. They had to travel a little farther than down the aisle to make their vows, though, to Canada, where their marriage was celebrated.
“That’s why this is personal to me.
“The fact that my brother had to leave Ireland to have his dream of being married become real is insane. INSANE.
“It’s time to right the scales of justice here.
“To sign up and register to vote next year so that each individual’s voice can be heard.
“How often do we get to make history in our lives? Not just personal history. Familial. Social. Communal. Global. The world will be watching. We will lead by example. Let’s lead toward light.”
Farrell – who was the best man at his brother’s wedding – is a long-time supporter of BeLonG To, which combats homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.
There are currently no plans to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
