OPINION: “I’m So Bored of The Referendum”

In 10 days Ireland will be the first country to publicly vote on marriage equality. But of course, unless you’ve lived under a rock, you already know that.  The referendum has dominated headlines and conversations over the past number of months and dear God, am I bored of it. The spotlight has been placed blindingly on the lives of many of my friends, family members and loved ones. I'm bored of everyone having an opinion on the matter. Every taxi driver I’ve encountered since March has asked how I intend to vote. This has more often than not resulted in a slightly heated conversation as I explain how I feel it’s a no-brainer. I’m bored of repeatedly being asked if I think “The Gays” are capable of raising children. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good debate, but I am exhausted of the assumptions. I am so bored of being told what a family needs to thrive. I’m exasperated by the multiple conversations I’ve had with strangers, pondering the inner mentalities of this section of society. I’m fed up of the polarization of societal groups and the comparison between same sex families and “traditional” families. I’m growing increasingly irate at the religious argument. I’m tired at explaining that while, yes, the Bible does refer to homosexuality as an abomination in Leviticus 18:22, it also says the same of shellfish. In fact, there are many many things considered an abomination in the eyes of the Lord - from adultery to divorce to wearing cloth woven of two materials. Personally, I’ve been rocking a polyester and cotton bend scarf for months and I’ve yet to be smitten by any higher power. I’m tired of defending the rights and choices of my friends, family and loved ones. I’m sick of reverting back to the argument that while I value every opinion, by default we live in a society that prides itself on democracy and neutrality. I am exhausted of saying that the founding principles of democracy are equality and freedom, and that fundamentally to deny a large group of people the same basic rights undermines the ethics of our politics. I’m so disinterested in arguing any further. I am looking forward to the end of these wayward politics, to a time when “The Gays” can return to obscurity and live in privacy. I am looking forward to real equality when my opinion does not require justification, to a time when love is celebrated, to when the scrutiny is over and the spotlight is finally and permanently turned off.