During the marriage referendum three years ago, the #hometovote hashtag saw over 72,000 tweets in a matter of hours from people who were returning to Ireland to vote in the Marriage Equality referendum.
It became such a key moment for Twitter, that the hashtag was memorialised in Twitter HQ.
Once in a while we put a globally significant hashtag on our wall in San Fran HQ. Being painted now: #HomeToVote pic.twitter.com/pAAZxpCfIK
— Stephen McIntyre (@stephenpmc) May 28, 2015
This week, we have seen a revival of the hashtag with thousands of people returning from all over the world to vote in the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment and it is giving us fierce nostalgia.
Although the two referendums have a dichotomy, the element of control over folks who can get pregnant strikes a very similar nerve for the LGBT+ community who had to canvas, travel home and tell their stories three years ago.
Here are some of the best posts we have seen over the past few days on social media.
https://twitter.com/coleman_ailbhe/status/999149853623103488
Just met a dude who gave me a nervous smile “You’re the only person I’ve seen wearing a badge on this flight.”
“- Are you going home to vote?”
“Yeah.”*we high five, loudly*
“But I don’t have any badge or -“
LEMME HOOK YOU UP REAL QUICK MY FRIEND. #HometoVote
— Twohig (@LisaTwohig) May 23, 2018
So so sad to be leaving Costa Rica today for the long journey home. It’s been an incredible 3 months. I’m glad I planned it though so I could go #HomeToVote #Repeal pic.twitter.com/GDT6s8CwSU
— Nicola O'Leary (@nicola_oleary) May 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/iarlaoh/status/998299998566670336
https://twitter.com/RG13SG/status/999219811816263681
This particular photo has struck a chord with many…
https://twitter.com/HoorayForNiamh/status/999272813465866240
https://twitter.com/HoorayForNiamh/status/998845380245602304
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjJypr3gLri/?tagged=hometovote
@blaithintheflower said “We are going #HomeToVote We are going home to #VoteYes for an Ireland that treats women with compassion, care, respect, equality and trust. This is a super emotional journey for all of us making the trip home, this one flight back to Ireland to vote yes is democracy on its feet, and will hopefully mean the end of 3,000 journeys made out of Ireland by Irish women every year and the end of another 2,000 abortion pills bought online and taken unsafely and unregulated. ❤❤❤❤❤. @londonirisharc @repealproject @repeal8thglobal @together4yes”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjKSxLPFnL0/?tagged=hometovote
@lolaboorman said “Flying #hometovote and thinking of 170,000 women who have made this trip to access abortion since 1983. Tomorrow we have the chance to ensure that no woman ever has to make this trip again, that she can be cared for in her own country, and that she is trusted to make her own decisions about her own health and her own body. Vote ‘Yes’ #repealthe8th #togetherforyes #healthcarenotairfare #freesafelegal”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjKSO6jlDF_/?tagged=hometovote
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjJ6rZUgW2S/?tagged=hometovote
Boarding a 13 hour flight from Buenos Aires to London. London to Dublin tomorrow. No one at airport knows what my repeal jumper means. No one here knows why I'm travelling. If this feels isolating for me, can't imagine how lonely it must be 4 her, travelling 2 the UK #HomeToVote
— Ciaran Gaffney (@gaffneyciaran) May 22, 2018
Welcome home pals, now let’s get voting YES!
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