100 Voices For YES: Irish Artists Speak Up For Repeal

1.Karen
Wyvern Lingo
This time last year we took part in the night of Repeal in the Olympia, along with many other excellent musicians and speakers, and we were utterly moved by the stories we heard. Ever since we first decided to support the Repeal movement as a band, we’ve tried our best to educate ourselves and do as much as we can to get behind the campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment.

While it’s important to respect that there are always going to be differing opinions on abortion, it is equally important to call out manipulation of facts and to try to talk to as many people as possible on the subject. We’ve all had uneasy conversations, but it’s the only way to change minds and ensure that friends and family aren’t misled by false information.

We want to see the 8th repealed so that all women in Ireland can receive adequate healthcare and support. We want to see an end to the 12 women who are forced to travel every day, and that those who do not have the means be given the dignity of choice.

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2.The Coronas
Band
The Coronas are voting to repeal the 8th Amendment on May 25. We trust women to be allowed choose what is in the best interest of their health and their lives. We trust doctors to provide that care without endangering the health and life of a pregnant woman. Repealing the 8th is not a radical law that will ‘open the floodgates’, it is a necessary change to the constitution allowing pregnant women respect and control over their own bodies when they arrive at a hospital. For this reason we support repealing the 8th Amendment on May 25.

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3.Mary Coughlan
Singer
I’ve been working on this since, what... 1983? I’ve been very open and honest about my view before. I have five children and I have grandchildren. I travelled very early on to London for an abortion and it was very, very difficult. I had to get the train to Dublin, the bus to Euston – as I couldn’t afford to fly.
There were two young girls from Dublin also on the bus with me and, lo and behold, they were in the clinic the next morning with me as well. One of them was doing her Leaving Cert and she was pretending to stay the night with a friend... Her friend was there with her; they’d just gone off on their own. I often think about them. It’s my choice to do something about this. Something that annoys me in particular about the other side is that they think we’re all forcing them to have abortions... No-one is forcing you to have an abortion. I just want to have the choice. And I want my grandchildren to have the choice, should they ever decide.

4. Delorentos
Band
We are four citizens that support the Repeal the 8th movement. We were honoured to be involved in supporting the Yes equality campaign, and now have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of supporting women and making Ireland a progressive society – one that trusts women. This is a healthcare issue that often divides people, but so there is no ambiguity: we support the repeal of the 8th amendment and hope that the movement, which was started by our predecessors and supported by so many brave citizens of this country, results in this referendum being passed. We’ve encouraged our friends and family to make sure they’re registered and make sure they vote. Thank you. Nial, Ronan, Kieran, Ross

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5. Niamh Farrell
Ham Sandwich
There’s just under a month left to go before we vote and I’m worried but remain optimistic. What this vote boils down to is whether you want to give women a choice over their own bodies. Plain and simple. If you disagree with abortion and think that it’s morally wrong then that’s your opinion, but you should still give women the choice. Look at the facts, don’t get caught up in lies and propaganda, and think about what we are voting for. Should a woman have a choice to have safe treatment, in her own country? If we vote No, all we do is keep exporting the problem; it’s still going to happen. Have compassion for all the women you know and love. I’m voting Yes and I hope you will too.

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6. Neil Jordan
Filmmaker and Author
I fully support the Yes campaign. Issues like this should legislated for, not enshrined in the constitution.

7. Emma Donoghue (pictured above)

Author

I vividly remember the passing of the 8th Amendment when I was a schoolgirl: it made me feel afraid and worthless as an Irishwoman growing up in a country that valued her life no higher than that of her embryo. Whether like me you believe that what happens inside a woman’s body is nobody’s business but hers, or whether you just feel compassion for the many complicated medical and life situations that could lead a woman or a couple to decide to end a pregnancy, please, for the sake of all of us (Irish men, women and children), vote Yes for Repeal.

8.Eleanor McEvoy

Songwriter and Singer

Since 1983 the 8th Amendment has been putting the health and lives of women at risk here in Ireland. We now have a chance to put this wrong to right. I will be voting to Repeal the 8th on May 25.

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9.Garrett Lee

Music Producer

The state should stay out of a woman’s choice about her life and her body. The legacy of Catholic and State misogyny should be broken.

10. Ailbhe Reddy

Singer

I believe that we all know women who have been affected by this amendment. May 25 is our chance to take a step towards righting the wrongs against the women who have been exiled, shamed and treated like criminals while trying to seek healthcare. While writing this it is estimated that 199,119 women have travelled since 1983. We need to end this culture of shame and give women the choice to make the best decisions for themselves, and doctors the freedom to help their patients.

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