In the run-up to the referendum on same-sex marriage, The Liberal will be doing a Vox Pop each week on a main shopping street of a different regionally town throughout the country.
On Easter Monday, our reporter was in Sligo town. He asked 100 random people the following questions:
Question One:
What age are you and what way will you be voting in the upcoming marriage referendum?
Question Two:
What is the main reason you are voting that way?
Answer One:
22 people were in the 18 – 25 age group
13 people said they were voting Yes
9 people said they were voting No
39 people were in the 25 – 40 age group
20 people said they were voting Yes
19 people said they were voting No
21 people were in the 40 – 50 age group
5 people said they were voting Yes
16 people said they were voting No
18 people were aged 50+
5 people said they were voting Yes
13 people said they were voting No
On these figures in Sligo, 57% would currently vote No whereas 43% would vote Yes. People from their late 20’s tended to sway towards a No vote, whereas people from their mid 40’s onward showed strong opposition to the referendum.
Answer Two:
The 18 to 25 age group who said they were voting Yes, said they felt from what they’ve seen on social media, people their own age were voting Yes. Those opposing the referendum said their parents were voting that way so they will be too.
The 25 to 40 age group who said they were voting Yes, again tended to say they saw mostly Yes campaigners on Twitter, Facebook they said was more balanced. Those opposing said they felt that children were the main focus of the debate and they were voting No for this reason.
The 40 – 50 age bracket who said they were voting Yes, knew people who were gay or were related to a gay person. Those voting No claimed civil partnership was already in place and also on religious grounds.
The 50+ category saw people voting Yes because they knew a gay person. Those voting No said they were doing so on the fact that traditional marriage would be redefined and also on religious grounds.
It should be pointed out that over 30 people refused to engage and that the reasoning here is a summary of the general reasoning expressed.