Irish voters back gay marriage in 'social revolution'

Published May 23, 2015
Ballot boxes at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. Irish voters appear to have voted heavily in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum in the traditionally Catholic country, government ministers and opponents of the bill said on Saturday. —Reuters
Ballot boxes at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. Irish voters appear to have voted heavily in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum in the traditionally Catholic country, government ministers and opponents of the bill said on Saturday. —Reuters

DUBLIN: Irish voters backed same-sex marriage by a landslide in a referendum marking a dramatic social shift in the traditionally Catholic country, government ministers and opponents of the bill said on Saturday.

Final results were not expected until later in the day, but ministers predicted Ireland had become the first Catholic country to adopt same-sex marriage via a popular vote by a margin of around two-to-one, just two decades after it decriminalised homosexuality.

Ballots are counted at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. —Reuters
Ballots are counted at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. —Reuters

"This has really touched a nerve in Ireland," Equality Minister Aodhan O'Riordain said at the main count centre in Dublin. "It's a very strong message to every LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) young person in Ireland and every LGBT young person in the world."

Health Minister Leo Varadkar, who revealed he was gay in a radio interview in January, said the referendum resembled a "social revolution".

The proposal was backed by all political parties, championed by big employers and endorsed by celebrities, all hoping it would mark a transformation in a country that was long regarded as one of the most socially conservative in Western Europe.

Only a third of the country backed the decriminalisation of gay sex for men over 17 in 1993, according to a poll at the time. A supreme court judge in 1983 said homosexuality was “morally wrong” and contributed to depression and suicide.

"This is a big placard from the people of Ireland to the rest of the world saying this is the way forward," said David Norris, who began a campaign for gay rights in the late 1970s.

The Catholic Church, whose dominance of Irish politics collapsed in the wake of a series of sex scandals in the early 1990s, still teaches that homosexual activity is a sin. But it limited its 'No' campaigning to sermons to its remaining flock, a marked contrast with active public opposition to similar moves in France and elsewhere.

Instead, lay groups led the opposition by raising concerns over parenthood and surrogacy rights for gay couples. Many believe the recognition of the legal rights of same-sex couples in 2009 is sufficient.

One of the main opponents of the bill conceded minutes after the first boxes were opened.

"Everyone seems to be predicting a 'yes'... and that seems to be the case at the moment. It's disappointing," said John Murray from Catholic think tank the Iona Institute.

State broadcaster RTE said up to 80 per cent of voters backed the 'Yes' campaign in some working-classing areas of Dublin. The vote was much closer in many rural areas, but the vast majority of constituencies appeared likely to back 'Yes', RTE said.

At the main count centre, 'Yes' supporters embraced, cried and waved rainbow flags as the high approval rate became clear.

"It's very hard for it to sink in, inside screaming and jumping already but I'm just waiting for that exact moment when I can say it," said Ger O'Keefe, 27, a gay 'Yes' campaigner from Waterford.

A 'Yes' campaigner reacts at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. —Reuters
A 'Yes' campaigner reacts at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage May 23, 2015. —Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...