Hozier has issued a heartfelt plea to his Irish fans to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.
The singer has been a vocal supporter of the repeal side of the 8th amendment debate from early on, but took the time to share a lengthy video about why he is voting yes.
In the caption, he says: “The 8th amendment prevents nothing but the safety and dignity of our fellow citizens. I hope you’ll join me in granting those in a crisis pregnancy compassionate access to healthcare in Ireland on Friday the 25th of May by voting YES.
#TogetherForYes”
In the video he begins: “In Ireland, as you know we have a referendum on our hands and a huge and important opportunity to help grant our fellow citizens access to health care and reproductive rights that they have long been denied in Ireland.”
The Bray native opens up about the misconception some men, and young men have about ‘standing aside’ from the debate, rather than getting involved.
He added: “The best way to get out of the way to those in need of the right to make that decision for themselves is simply to vote Yes,”
The 8th amendment prevents nothing but the safety and dignity of our fellow citizens. I hope you’ll join me in granting those in a crisis pregnancy compassionate access to healthcare in Ireland on Friday the 25th of May by voting YES. #TogetherForYes https://t.co/C29soHMhhv
— Hozier (@Hozier) May 23, 2018
“To vote No or to not use your vote, in this important referendum is to support a system which brings about needless suffering and grief for people in crisis pregnancies.”
The singer continued: “It’s to support a system which would force your fellow citizens, essentially, to give birth against their will or force them to travel for services and healthcare at great risk to their own health and well-being, and at risk of a jail sentence. Which to me is extreme and backward”
“It’s been the system for a long time and we have the opportunity to change that.”
He finished with a final plea saying: “I don’t believe anybody has the right to tell somebody what they can and cannot do with their own body and that’s precisely why I’ll be voting Yes and if you’re of that same mind I hope you’ll join me on the Yes vote on Friday the 25th of May. Thank you very much.”
Various celebrities have shared their stance on the upcoming referendum in recent weeks.
