On May 25 Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether to repeal the eighth amendment of the constitution, which currently prohibits abortion in the majority of cases. In the run up to the vote, a campaign has begun to get people talking about the issue, which is all too often consigned to uncomfortable silence or heated debate filled with misinformation.
SEE ALSO:Something remarkable happened when this abortion rights mural was painted overThe 'Hear Me Out' campaign comes from the Yes side of the debate (advocating that the 8th be repealed).
The idea is to encourage Irish people to have private conversations with undecided voters and in the process avoid the polarising and inflammatory language that characterises online debate.
"Put the kettle on, start a conversation, send a letter, an email or even a text," #HearMeOut say on their website, "asking a person in your life to hear you out."
"There are many people undecided on this issue and many who are voting no," they say, "we believe that through gentle conversations and sharing stories we can help them understand the compassion, care and dignity a YES vote will afford the women of Ireland."
On Sunday, actor Aonghus Óg McAnally shared his own experience of being won over to the other side through considered, respectful conversation.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
The campaign has been praised for its approach:
Tweet may have been deleted
Irish comedian Dara O'Briain described the thread and the campaign as 'excellent'.
Tweet may have been deleted
Whatever your position on the debate, listening is something we should all practice more.
TopicsActivismPolitics
(责任编辑：時尚)
Over 82,000 evacuate as Blue Cut fire rapidly spreads in southern California
Trump jokes about kicking non
Uber drivers will verify their identities through selfies
Bad news, Shutterfly: Amazon is moving into photo printingNancy Pelosi warns colleagues after info hackedMajor earthquake and multiple aftershocks rock central Italy
UPDATE: Aug. 25, 2016, 8:22 a.m. BST 。 Death toll is now at least 247 dead: 190 in Rieti province and
...[详细]Sia announces deluxe edition of 'This Is Acting'
It's officially Sia season and the blessings are rolling in today.On top of announcing a 23-date-tou
...[详细]Watch: Olympian couple enjoy soaking pedestrians in post
How much schadenfreude is too much? For Australian Olympic diver fresh outta Rio, Grant Nel and his
...[详细]The rise of Pepe the Frog is another sign of hate festering online
The ubiquitous green internet amphibian known as Pepe the Frog has been added to the Anti-Defamation
...[详细]This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump
American gymnast Simone Biles has dominated the Rio Olympics with five medals (four of them gold) bu
...[详细]Apple to open new UK headquarters at London's Battersea Power Station
Apple is opening a new UK headquarters at London's Battersea Power Station, which will see 1,400 sta
...[详细]9 men jailed after stripping down to undies featuring Malaysia's flag
A bunch of Australian dudes have landed themselves in hot water in Malaysia.The nine men were jailed
...[详细]Rob Kardashian's childhood crush was...Kim Kardashian?
Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna are in the midst of a heap of drama, but in a new clip that surfaced o
...[详细]Michael Phelps says goodbye to the pool with Olympic gold
Michael Phelps left as he began: Winning.
。The most decorated athlete in Olympic history won gold in
...[详细]Beats has a new pair of stylish wired headphones for you wireless haters
The future of music listening will be wireless, but that doesn't mean good, old-fashioned wired head
...[详细]