The fate of Helen Jones’ children hangs in the balance ahead of tomorrow’s referendum.
As the emotive portrait she created along with her sons, Jack and Shane Robertson, proclaims so simply and directly, she loves her sons equally and Ireland should too.
The family released this statement to accompany the portrait:
“Helen Jones is a psychotherapist and is all too familiar with the struggles people have everyday just to be who they are. She’s worked hard to raise her sons to be their own men and comfortable in their own skin.
Jack’s a copywriter and Shane is a student in sports science. One of them was afraid of the moon when he was little and the other was absolutely fearless. One’s played rugby all his life, flirted with being a Goth and was obsessed with Wrestlemania growing up; the other swam competitively and preferred watching tennis and listening to Alanis Morissette.
One is gay, one is straight.
Which is which is irrelevant (and chances are if you had to guess, you’d be wrong). What is relevant is they’re both good men, who deserve a level playing field.”
Jack Robertson said of the portrait:
“We felt it would be good if we could share the perspective of a real Irish family. No mixed messages or confusion, just a heartfelt statement. We hope that’s what comes across.”
Today is the final day to sway our fellow countrymen and women who may be feeling uncertain about the question of equality in this country. The final poll conducted by the Irish Times put the figures at 58 per cent Yes, 25 per cent No and 17 per cent Undecided. This is the second poll conducted in conjunction with the Irish Times that has shown a decline in support for the Yes side and a small increase of support for the No camp.
Voting opens at 7am tomorrow morning. Families like the Robertsons will hold their breath and wait to see if Ireland will back equality for all citizens.
