Dublin has an IndyRef style energy today - people have come back from all over for #hometovote http://t.co/FCrJLuVxS5
— Brian Whelan (@brianwhelanhack) May 23, 2015
Courtesy of CNN: Irish voters went to the polls Friday to decide whether to change the country's constitution to allow same-sex marriage.
Counting will start Saturday morning, with the result due by the end of the day.
It's a landmark referendum that, if passed, would make Ireland the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
Ireland's voters were asked to approve this statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex."
If more say "yes" than say "no," the change to the constitution will give gay and lesbian couples the right to civil marriage, but not to be wed in a church.
As the video up above states the referendum has Irish citizens living around the world traveling back to cast their votes ins support.
The votes were counted at noon and this did indeed pass in Ireland, making it the first country that changed its constitution to respect the rights their LGBT community:
With the first firm result declaring around lunchtime on Saturday that more than 70% of voters in Dublin North West had said yes to same sex marriage, all the trends are pointing to at least a 2-1 majority in favour.
And that is no small thing. Especially considering their Catholic heritage.
As it turns out America might be able to do something similar, if it had the political will that is.
After all according to the most recent Gallup poll a full 60% of Americans support marriage equality.
Personally I would love to see that happen before President Obama left office. What a legacy that would leave.
The Vatican is shitting bricks today. This is a big FU to Catholics in general.
ReplyDeleteThe Vatican has the right Pope to smooth-talk Catholics into adjusting -- he'll call it Love & The Christian Thing To Do, you'll see. The Catholic church has not survived all this time without bending: it banks on it.
DeleteRepublicans would never allow the credit to go to President Obama is my thought....although I totally agree with you IM!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that the credit does go to him. There has ben an increasing movement in Ireland for people to stay out of other people's business, medical and otherwise. While I cannot and will not try and speak for the country of Ireland, I will speak for my my cousins in Galway. They are apallled that women have been forced to die with a non viable fetus, others could care less about abortion on a whole and think women are smart enough to manage their own uteri.
DeleteNow, while they live in a relatively sparse population, they may or may not speak for the country overall., but they are willing to speak out. They call it very close, but until the votes are counted they will not make a call. But all are hoping that this ridiculous law of having women die with non viable feti is over ruled.
That's all I"ve got.
So, that's Ireland, what are all of us doing to keep the right to abort legally in the USA?
The church and the politicians lost today in Ireland. The people were fed up with conservative rhetoric.
ReplyDeleteActually, the politicians were all on board, the church was standing alone. Every single political party lined up for this vote YES!
DeleteIt is truly a remarkable outcome -- and, in a Catholic country -- to see happen in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteAs sensibility changing as getting a man to the moon, IMO.
To see the earth from the moon... to be able to marry whomever you love. Humans are gradually progressing in an enlightened direction, understanding their place in the universe (and hopefully being able to preserve this beautiful blue dot) -- and in becoming humanists rejecting ideological bigotry.
As Bernie Sanders says, "If enough of us stand up and fight [or vote], we will win."
To be accurate, Ireland is the first nation to choose marriage equality through a national referendum. Ireland had a constitutional convention in 2012-2014 with same-sex marriage as one of the agenda items. But the way it works in Ireland is all constitutional amendments must be put to referendum.
ReplyDeleteDifferent route for amendments to the US constitution.
The United Kingdom has "devolved" the issue, With England, Scotland and Wales enacting legislation to permit same-sex marriage. Northern Ireland has not changed their law, but does recognize some legal standing for partnerships from other jurisdictions.
DeleteIt will be interesting to see if Northern Ireland falls in line.
This is great news! But I'm uncomfortable with putting civil and human rights to a vote.
ReplyDeleteIreland's constitution requires a referendum to amend the constitution. So there wasn't any choice other than a popular vote.
DeleteA insightful article by Jay Michaelson, May 22, in the Daily Beast, entitled "Why Irish Gay Marriage is Not Like America's."
ReplyDeletePolitics and religion aside, I amshedding tears of joy for all those who have been waiting so long....
ReplyDeleteAnd America is supposed to be a progressive country. So much for that thought.
DeleteMy warmest congratulations to the wonderful citizens of Ireland.
It's actually legal in about 19 other countries. But good for them and I hope we join those ranks soon.
ReplyDeleteCanada legalized same sex marriage in 2005 and at the time it was the fourth country to do so. But I believe Ireland is the first to add it to their constitution.
ReplyDeleteIt is actually enshrined in South Africa's updated constitution, Mandela ensured it was included when he was President.
DeleteYes they did, and as a dual citizen of Canada and the USA I am still waiting for someone's imaginary God to strike me dead. My life and Uterus are still in tact.
Deletes/sarcasm if you didn't figure it out by now
A victory for human beings, and a blow to pedophiles.
ReplyDeleteTime to celebrate.
Bushmills or Jameson's Irish whiskey?
This IS huge for them. I saw on a news piece that they legalized divorce in 1993? Wowsers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a time to be alive. I so agree with your sentiments about this happening here before POTUS leaves office, but I don't see it happening soon enough. If people looked at the big picture, they'd realize that a policy of inclusion makes all marriages and families stronger. Another plus is it's great for the economy and how the world sees us.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with those who think the Catholic church would be fine with this, even under the guidance of Pope Francis. They've been dealing with pedophile priests for at least thirty years, and look how well they did cleaning their own house. (snark off).
DeletePope F has just diverted attention -- how many headlines feature pedo priests these days?
The last Pope was put under house arrest (some arrest, some house) to make the world think their Church had done something.
Perhaps now the Catholic church will say its pedophilia is sanctioned -- if gay marriage is OK -- so is male-on-male sex.
DeleteHot damn. Not only would hat be a great addition to Obama;s legacy, It'd also stick a high hard one right up Evangelical's ASS.
ReplyDeleteIt would really spark up the Rehuglikan primaries, too. LMMFAO
Who woulda thought Ireland would be the first.
ReplyDeleteNow, if they can modernize their abortion laws.....