Irish men are sharing their support for repeal using #men4yes hashtag

Irish men are sharing their support for the repeal of the eighth amendment using the #men4yes hashtag.

Sportsmen and broadcasters launched the campaign earlier today to encourage men to vote yes in the upcoming abortion referendum.

Footballer Richie Sadlier, rugby player Gordon D’Arcy, and others have voiced their support for repeal, saying that the 8th amendment is an issue affecting men too.

The eighth amendment makes abortion illegal in Ireland except in very limiting circumstances.

Sadlier said that if men want to live in a "compassionate" society, they should vote yes.

On Twitter he wrote:

"If men have a view that the society we live in should be compassionate, safe and caring for women in very vulnerable crisis situations, then they must get involved and vote yes."

If men have a view that the society we live in should be compassionate, safe and caring for women in very vulnerable crisis situations, then they must get involved and vote yes #men4yes pic.twitter.com/fwC5UnJFQG — Richie Sadlier (@RichieSadlier) April 24, 2018

D'Arcy echoed this statement, writing that women should be able to "... get the care they need, and make the decisions they need to make."

The 8th Amendment is getting in the way of a more compassionate Ireland, where women have the choice to get the care they need, and make the decisions they need to make. #men4yes @Together4yes pic.twitter.com/amLs3yRIUw — Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) April 24, 2018

The hashtag soon gained traction online with many other Irish men joining in and sharing their reasons for voting yes.

They included Senator Aodhán O Ríordáin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Rubber Bandits, and many more.

#Men4Yes because I want to live in a fair society where pregnancy and choice isn’t criminalised, and health isn’t at risk. Even though I can’t get pregnant myself, I want the law to trust in the agency of the pregnant. — The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) April 24, 2018

So glad to see #men4yes emerge.

I’m voting yes because, as a man, there is no medical procedure unavailable to me to protect my life or my health.

I want the same for women.#TáDoMhná — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) April 24, 2018

Some men feel the #8thref doesn't affect us, or is an issue we should stay out of. It's not. Talk to your daughters, sisters, mothers, girlfriends, wives and friends. We need your votes. #men4yes For compassion in crisis #VoteYes. @Together4yes — Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 24, 2018

I’m voting Yes because a doctor shouldn’t need to check with a lawyer before delivering the treatment they know a pregnant person needs #men4yes — Alan (@alan_maguire) April 24, 2018

As a parent, I know the incredible responsibility needed to take care of a child. I wouldn't force this on any pregnant person. #Men4Yes — Jim Healy (@JJ5000) April 24, 2018

I've listened to women's stories they deserve better. A No vote won't stop abortions but continues the hypocrisy, shame and stigma. A Yes vote moves us to fairer, safer, more compassionate healthcare in Ireland. It's our responsibility to put the hand out to our women. #men4yes — Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) April 24, 2018

At the time of writing, #men4yes was the top trending topic in Ireland.

The referendum takes place next month on May 25.