Sunday, May 24, 2015

Ireland's Yes

From the BBC:
"Huge Republic of Ireland vote for gay marriage"

The Republic of Ireland has voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum.  More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.  It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said it was a "small country with a big message for equality" around the world.  The referendum was held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland. Same-sex marriage is now legal in 20 countries worldwide.   BBC Ireland correspondent Chris Buckler said the atmosphere at Dublin Castle, where thousands of people gathered to watch the results being announced, was more like a festival than a referendum result. Counting began at 09:00 BST on Saturday, and the final result was declared shortly before 19:00 BST.  Cheers and applause greeted the announcement of the results by the returning officer Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile.  The turnout was more than 60%, and the outcome seemed clear a short time into the count, with prominent "no" campaigners declaring defeat early on.   In total, 1,201,607 people voted in favour of same-sex marriage, while 734,300 voted against.
 


^ It did surprise me a little that ultra-conservative Ireland voted so overwhelmingly to make gay marriage legal. It shows that the Irish have changed leaps and bounds over the past several years. Hopefully the rest of the world will see their example and follow it. Northern Ireland is the only territory now (out of: England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland) where gay people can't marry. ^


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32858501

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.