In May last year the people of County Mayo made history when they voted “Yes” for marriage equality. One year on, same sex marriages have taken place the length and breadth of the country, including right here in Mayo.
To celebrate the first anniversary of the Marriage Referendum, the Linenhall Arts Centre and Mayo are proud to present Ten Weeks That Changed The World by Alison Laredo on May 23 at 7pm.
Jean Cross, chair of Equality Mayo, said: “It is a rare thing indeed to have captured a moment in Irish history unlike any other. Alison captured this moment, and frame by frame she bore witness to a truly remarkable event and in the process produced a stunning set of photographs as Mayo people came together from every corner of the County to campaign for a Yes vote.
“For many, the campaign became a personal journey. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters stepped forward to claim their lesbian and gay family members, to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they asked for equal rights. It took courage and from that courage a new dialogue was born. For the first time many people spoke openly about their gay and lesbian family members. People were able to step into the light and declare their love.
"The 'Yes' vote in Mayo changed lives. Alison’s photography is renowned for getting to the emotional core, for telling the personal story. Ten Weeks That Changed the World charts the journey of a social movement with beautiful photography."
The exhibition will be opened by national campaigner Grainne Healy and eminent artist Alice Maher on May 23 at 7pm at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, and will run for three weeks.
