To mark this landmark anniversary, we’ve teamed up with An Post to host an evening of reflection at the GPO, a symbol of national change and revolution.

Ten years ago today, Ireland made history. We became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. This was not a law imposed on Ireland by the courts and politicians, but a landmark decision that came from the people, for the people of Ireland.

Ireland voted for equality with an overwhelming majority of 62% to 38%, marking the beginning of a more accepting nation. The resounding “Yes” was more than a legal change, it was a symbolic declaration of who Ireland is and what we aspire to be. However, this landmark change did not come without generations upon generations of struggle, stigma, and violence towards Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community.

For years, the queer community lived in fear and secrecy. Homosexuality was only decriminalised in 1993 and social acceptance was even slower to follow. Ireland was held back by the influence of the Catholic Church and a post-independence culture defined by deeply rooted conservatism. While EU countries like the Netherlands began legalising same-sex partnerships in the 1990s, Irish law continued to deny basic legal protections, which translated to even less social freedom and safety.

Up to the 90s and early 2000s, Ireland saw very little public discussion of LGBTQ+ issues and those who spoke out risked losing jobs, homes, or even the safety that comes with silence. Pride marches were once small, contained to a tiny part of cities (if at all), and often met with hostility. The 2015 vote did not erase that history but it was a defiant step away from it. The referendum marked a collective decision to build a kinder, more inclusive Ireland. The ‘Yes’ vote began by granting LGBTQ+ people the same right as anyone else: the right to love openly, to marry the person they love, and to build a life together with dignity and respect.

The campaign leading up to the 2015 referendum was deeply emotional, with countless people bravely sharing their personal stories in an effort to change the hearts and minds of a nation. Campaigners knocked on thousands of doors and engaged in heartfelt conversations with strangers, vibrant murals appeared across the country, and families sat around kitchen tables having difficult but necessary conversations. It was a grassroots movement powered by compassion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in a more inclusive Ireland. The campaign was also shaped by powerful moments of cultural reckoning, with none more significant than “Pantigate”.

In January 2014, drag performer Panti Bliss (Rory O’Neill) appeared on RTÉ’s Saturday Night Show. Afterwards, Panti was interviewed by journalist Brendan O’Connor (as Rory O’Neill). Rory named individuals he believed were promoting homophobia in Irish media. What followed was swift backlash: RTÉ removed the interview, issued a public apology, and paid out €85,000 in damages to those named, all funded by the Irish taxpayer. The incident sparked national outrage and a heated debate about homophobia, censorship, and freedom of speech, reaching as far as the European Parliament.

Then came Panti’s Noble Call: a powerful speech delivered on the stage of the Abbey Theatre, where she articulated the quiet, constant pressure of living in a society that sees you as lesser. Her words, “It feels oppressive,” became a rallying cry for the “Yes” side, and the speech went viral and was subtitled in over a dozen languages.

Today, a decade later, we’re honouring that pivotal moment and the journey that got us here in the GPO with a spoken word event in collaboration with An Post, hosted by Rory O’Neill, and featuring a special performance by SOAK. The GPO is a symbol of revolution, but today it’s also standing proudly as a space of reflection and celebration for a different kind of freedom: the right to love. There is still work to be done in Ireland, particularly as we see the erosion of Trans rights across Europe. However, anniversaries like this remind us of the power of unity, visibility, and courage. They invite us to both look back, and imagine what’s next.

As part of the celebration, you’re invited to write a letter to your future self, and take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re going. An Post will return your letter May 2026. Find out more here.

we’ve teamed up with An Post to host an evening of reflection at the GPO, a symbol of national change and revolution. As part of the celebration, you’re invited to write a letter to your future self, and take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re going. An Post will return your letter May 2026. Find out more here.