Ireland says big 'Yes' to gay marriage

IRELAND has became the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by referendum with an overwhelming 62 per cent "Yes" vote, further denting the once all-powerful Irish Catholic Church.
SUPPORTERS packed into the grounds of Dublin Castle hugged, kissed and waved rainbow flags in a festival atmosphere as the result was announced on Saturday, and parties in the capital's gay bars went on into the night.
The constitutional change allowing same-sex marriage was passed with only 38 per cent voting against it. All bar one of Ireland's 43 constituencies voted in favour of the measure. "Today Ireland has made history - the first country in the world to vote for equal marriage," Prime Minister Enda Kenny told reporters. "With today's vote we have disclosed who we are: a generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people. "Yes to inclusion, yes to generosity, yes to love, yes to equal marriage," he said. The voter turnout was 60 per cent - much higher than in other recent referendums. As she swept into the castle party in high heels, Rory O'Neill or "Panti Bliss", Ireland's foremost drag queen and a leading "Yes" campaigner, declared: "It's an amazing day to be Irish!" Celebrities and political leaders tweeted congratulations, while a string of Irish celebrities had also backed the "Yes" campaign including singer Sinead O'Connor, actor Colin Farrell and rock band U2, who posted a photo on Instagram with the words "In the name of love..." - one of their most famous songs. The referendum asked voters whether or not they approved the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex." Legalising gay marriage is a seismic change in Ireland, where the Roman Catholic Church has traditionally been a powerful force. Homosexuality was illegal until 1993 and abortion is still banned except where the mother's life is in danger. The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin told national broadcaster RTE that the Catholic Church now needed a "reality check". "I think the Church needs to do a reality check right across the board... Have we drifted away completely from young people?" he said. The majority of Irish people identify themselves as Catholic, but the Church's influence has waned in recent years amid growing secularisation and after a wave of child sex abuse scandals. All Ireland's main political parties supported amending the constitutional definition of marriage. Ireland will be the 19th country in the world to legalise gay marriage, and the 14th in Europe. The first same-sex weddings could then take place in Ireland towards the end of the year.