As the March for Choice approaches , we asked some members of the Irish LGBT+ community why they are pro-choice and why it’s important to get out and march. The response we received was overwhelming, below more of them tell us how they feel.

Cian O’Brien, Artistic Director (Project Arts Centre)

I am pro-choice for the very simple reason that I believe women should have control of their own bodies; everyone should be able to make their own decisions about their own health and well-being. It is a fundamental issue of Human Rights. Repeal the 8th.

Vickey Curtis (Artist)

I believe in free, safe and legal healthcare for all citizens of Ireland and that includes the rights and means to have an abortion for those in need of it.

I want an Ireland where citizens are free to choose what is best for them, and they have many options to their hands. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t get one, but at least give others the options to have a choice to.

I want an Ireland where we can march alongside one and other. An Ireland that we can stand up for ourselves, and that’s why I will be marching Saturday the 30th of September, because I have the choice and right to.

Over & Pout

Vickey Curtis

Philip McMahon, Theatre Director

I’ll be marching on Saturday 30th because I believe in a fair and equal society. I think it’s important for gay men to march in support of the women, gay and straight, that fought for gay civil rights in this country. I believe a woman’s body is hers and hers alone, and what she does with that body is her own choice. It’s none of my, or anyone else’s, business. So, I’ll be marching and campaigning to have it enshrined in law that it’s none of my business.

Veda, Drag Queen

Stigma and shame are so damaging for the mental well being of any person. It’s maddening that out dated “values” and misogyny are still the order of the day, twenty plus years after I was first schooled on the fight for abortion rights, by the great women of the J.C.R. in Trinity College. Those same women are still fighting today , as are many more. I hope the end is in sight now. We owe them a lot. We must all join this movement and do whatever we can to accomplish something resembling real equality for all the people of Ireland and all those seeking refuge here.

Kris Nelson (Dublin Fringe Festival Director)

I’m pro-choice. It’s very simple. Women have the right to access safe and legal abortion services in Ireland.

I’m marching on September 30 to demonstrate that the law in Ireland needs to change and the 8th Amendment must be repealed.

Jed and Colm (Dublin Pride)

Until our women have empowerment within their own bodies, we can’t really call Irish society equal. Women have won the right to travel, so the eighth amendment is no longer about abortion, that’s happening and it’s going to continue to happen. It’s about control, about vilifying vulnerable women, and it stinks. If you’re not furious, you’re not paying attention. Get out and ROAR!

Brian Finnegan, Editor of GCN

As members of the LGBT+ community, we know only too well how unjust laws can make us powerless over our own lives. It’s not so long ago that it was illegal for gay people to have sex with each other in this country, and we know that even today in many other countries abhorrent legislation restricts the freedom LGBT+ people to make decisions about their own lives.

That’s why LGBT+ rights and the rights of women to make choices about their own pregnancies intersect, and why the queer community should be marching for choice. We should be standing in solidarity on the vanguard of the fight to repeal the 8^th, as we should fight against any laws that enshrine inequality.

You can read about why more Irish LGBT+ people think it’s important to march here.

The 6th Annual March for Choice takes place on Saturday, September 30, assembling at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square from 1.30pm.

Our friends in Mother will be hosting the ‘Party For Choice’ post-march BBQ/Party at Café en Seine. You can get your tickets here.