GLAAD is adding its voice to the growing chorus asking Irish citizens to vote yes for marriage equality. With a new video, posted to the Irish marriage equality web site, www.votewithus.org, GLAAD's president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, urged a yes vote for marriage equality on May 22. A yes vote will have implications for other countries around Europe and possibly around the world.

Ireland is the first country in the world to hold a nation-wide referendum on marriage equality. Polling is strongly in favor for marriage, but Irish LGBT leaders have told GLAAD that strong polling does not indicate certain victory. In the end, it will come down to voter turnout, which means every supporter needs to vote yes on May 22. A major effort is currently underway to ensure that marriage equality supporters show up to the polls to vote yes.

The Vote With Us campaign helps Irish voters to find and share compelling reasons to support marriage equality for LGBT couples in the upcoming referendum on May 22. The campaign was started by Dónal Mulligan, Eoin Wilson, and Ewan Kelly, three friends from Dublin, who believe that the messages of hope and encouragement will motivate their fellow Irish to vote in favor of marriage equality.

"Growing up in my home, on the wall, was the Irish blessing that included the phrase 'may the wind be always at your back,' said Ellis. "Ireland, you have the opportunity to be a global leader in support of marriage for all. A yes vote on May 22 will inspire other countries, like the United States, to follow suit."

The video for marriage equality in Ireland is a part of GLAAD's Global Voices program, which works to accelerate LGBT acceptance across the globe. GLAAD shares culture-changing stories of LGBT people and families in national and international media, empowers LGBT communities to hold the media accountable for the words and images presented and to promote the inclusion of fair and accurate portrayals of LGBT people.