Still seen as one of the most positive highlights in recent Irish history, the journey towards marriage equality in the country was still a long and tumultuous one.
It can be all too easy to focus on the fantastic end result, but it is also very important to remember that Ireland was not always the beacon of open-mindedness that the world sees it as today.
Netflix have added an Irish documentary that focuses on just that, as The 34th spans the decade that culminated in the 34th amendment to the Irish constitution. Linda Cullen and Vanessa Gildea’s IFTA-nominated documentary feature follows the founders and members of the Marriage Equality organisation, as they campaigned for the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.
The 34th captures this impassioned and poignant journey from Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan’s pivotal KAL case and the emotional love story behind it, through the ardent grassroots campaign, to the historic yes vote which took place on 22 May 2015.
Through revealing interviews and archive material, campaigners share the strategising, fierce battles, sheer hard graft and moving personal stories behind the compelling and all-consuming campaign.
The 34th is available to watch on Netflix right now.
Clip via COCO Television
