Gay senator posts heartfelt letter to neighbours before marriage vote

Irish Senator Katherine Zappone (pictured) has encouraged people in the country to write letters and post them in neighbouring houses to inspire support for the Yes vote in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland.

Zappone, an independent member of Seanad Éireann – the upper house of the Oireachtas, posted a picture of the letter she posted in neighbours’ houses on her Twitter account today.

In the letter, she makes reference to her own marriage to partner Ann Louise and urges her neighbours to vote Yes not just for her own marriage, but “especially for young lesbian and gay people – who just want to marry the person they choose to love – just like everyone else”.

Zappone, who was born in Washington DC, has fought relentlessly for same-sex marriage recognition in Ireland, having appealed her own Canadian marriage to Ann Louise to be recognised in Ireland for the filing of joint tax returns.

Zappone is also the first openly lesbian member of the Oireachtas and the first member in a recognised same-sex relationship.

Her efforts to spread awareness about the referendum follows similar viral campaign work, including young Irish citizens filming themselves on the phone to their grandparents asking them to support same-sex marriage.

The referendum is set to take place on May 22 and if it passes, Ireland will become the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by a popular, national vote.

Read Zappone’s letter in full below: