WITH THE REFERENDUM just over a month away, the Yes side is stepping up their campaign.
Today former rugby player Gordan D’arcy, comedian Kevin McGahern, boxer Andy Lee, TV presenter Con Murphy and RTÉ pundit Richie Sadlier helped Together For Yes launch their #men4yes campaign on Twitter.
The campaign is part of the effort to get more men involved in the campaign as some men believe it’s not an issue they should engage with or get to vote on.
Thought about saving the cash and not flying home to vote. But then I thought about my future children. What if they asked me how I voted. Could I really look them in the face and say I did nothing when I had the chance. I trust women; past, present, and future. #men4yes
— Kevin Herrera (@kevinuherrera) April 24, 2018
This has led hundreds of men sharing their stories as to why they’ll be voting yes on May 25th. Here are some of the best.
The Rubberbandits laid it out plain and simple.
#Men4Yes because I want to live in a fair society where pregnancy and choice isn’t criminalised, and health isn’t at risk. Even though I can’t get pregnant myself, I want the law to trust in the agency of the pregnant.
— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) April 24, 2018
Leo Varadkar was one of many who were keen to remind us that above all pregnant people deserve compassion.
Some men feel the #8thref doesn't affect us, or is an issue we should stay out of. It's not. Talk to your daughters, sisters, mothers, girlfriends, wives and friends. We need your votes. #men4yes For compassion in crisis #VoteYes. @Together4yes
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) April 24, 2018
For a more compassionate society. For all my sisters and friends. All of us together. #men4yes #repealThe8th
— Mark O’Halloran (@markohalloran) April 24, 2018
I'm voting yes. A huge part of that decision is reading/hearing the stories of those affected by the 8th esp @InHerIrishShoes.
— Colm O'Regan (@colmoregan) April 24, 2018
These aren't debates/posters, just firsthand accounts from women. I'd urge anyone regardless of view to read these. #men4yes https://t.co/oRKrZDuq6f
Some men wanted to highlight that no medical procedure is off limits to them.
So glad to see #men4yes emerge.
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) April 24, 2018
I’m voting yes because, as a man, there is no medical procedure unavailable to me to protect my life or my health.
I want the same for women.#TáDoMhná
Bout 5 years ago I had a medical emergency, was rushed to the hospital & within a few hours had a procedure that saved my life. Doesn't everybody deserve the same? #men4yes
— Shane Pullen (@ShanePullen) April 24, 2018
I’m voting Yes because a doctor shouldn’t need to check with a lawyer before delivering the treatment they know a pregnant person needs #men4yes
— Alan (@alan_maguire) April 24, 2018
While others highlighted how much harm the 8th Amendment has done.
I believe in a woman being able to make decisions around her own healthcare and in her accessing reproductive healthcare of the highest standards when she needs it. The 8th Amendment causes harm to women - men cannot be passive. Get involved. Vote Yes #men4yes
— Gary Gannon (@1GaryGannon) April 24, 2018
I am *safe* from the 8th Amendment. It will never impact me in the same way as it will someone who has the ability to get pregnant.
— Stephen Crosby (@StephenC1874) April 24, 2018
It *does* impact people I love dearly and people I've never met,every single day.
Simply, we must #repealthe8th for a safer Ireland. #men4yes
I've listened to women's stories they deserve better. A No vote won't stop abortions but continues the hypocrisy, shame and stigma. A Yes vote moves us to fairer, safer, more compassionate healthcare in Ireland. It's our responsibility to put the hand out to our women. #men4yes
— Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) April 24, 2018
I'm voting yes because my friend (I was groomsman at their wedding) had to carry his semi-conscious wife on to a plane in Dublin airport in order to save her life because of the 8th. It has to go#men4yes#repealthe8th
— Cllr. John Campbell (@Cllr_Campbell) April 24, 2018
Some of the most powerful tweets reminded us how much power men have in this issue.
People are suffering in my name. Their health, their destiny, and their agency are taken out of their hands and placed in mine. I didn't ask for this power, but until I've relinquished it I'm complicit. Only a yes vote can do that. Inaction is not enough. Vote yes #men4yes
— Rob O' Sullivan (@Rob0Sullivan) April 24, 2018
There's no equality or social justice without women's liberation. It's in all our interests to win a Yes vote on 25th May. #men4yes
— Joe Higgins (@JoeHigginsSP) April 24, 2018
As a man I’ll never need an abortion, most women won’t either. For people that may, for whatever reason, need one though, they should be able to do so safely, with dignity and in their own country, without fearing prosecution for healthcare, #repealthe8th. #men4yes #together4yes
— Daithí for Yes 👍🏻 (@daithidublin) April 24, 2018
And the prospect of men not voting or being engaged in the issue is not good for anyone.
Men who would vote yes but plan to abstain because they think it's a woman's choice: not voting is really just voting for no change. Which is the same as voting no. So not voting is voting to continue restricting women's choice. Vote Yes!! #men4yes
— Brian O'Flynn (@brianoflynn_) April 24, 2018
The 8th Amendment is a women’s healthcare issue and it can be hard for men to get involved, but voting yes is about supporting and respecting women. #men4yes #together4yes
— MickGaskin10 (@MickGaskin10) April 24, 2018
#men4yes because I am a man with a uterus, so this referendum concerns my own bodily autonomy
— Jamie (@MxJamieHowell) April 24, 2018
The men of Ireland have an important role to play on May 25th. We will vote to determine how we as a country respond to women in a crisis pregnancy situation. The status quo of silence and shame, or a supportive environment of care and compassion. #men4yes #Together4Yes #Repeal
— Joe O'Connor (@Jocser99) April 24, 2018
But above all many men are voting Yes for the pregnant people in their lives.
#men4yes I'm voting yes for my Daughters and all the courageous women who have fought for the right to choose. #repealthe8th #together4yes
— Gav Mac 🇮🇪⚽️ (@VillanGav) April 24, 2018
I've travelled with someone who needed an abortion. Seen the pressure first hand that could be avoided were it not for the 8th. For my sister & niece and all the women of Ireland. #men4yes
— Keith (@ShrillockHolmes) April 24, 2018
And some just believed it was none of their business at all.
I'm voting yes. It's none of your business why. And that's why I'm voting yes. #men4yes
— Nigel Hegarty (@kesslereffect) April 24, 2018
I'm voting yes for many reasons - but mostly because your personal and private decisions about life or health are absolutely none of my business. #Men4Yes
— Aengus Ó Maoláin (@AengusOMaolain) April 24, 2018
I close the door when I go to the doctors because what is decided inside is none of your business. The women of Ireland deserve the same respect. #men4yes
— Philip Cleary (@philipcleary) April 24, 2018
