Irish Public Votes On Same-Sex Marriage

Ireland is likely going to become the first country ever to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. The vote is already making history as it’s the first time a country has held a public referendum on marriage equality. As CNN reports, voters in Ireland will be asked if they support the following statement:

“Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”

If the referendum passes with a majority “yes” vote, Ireland would become the 19th country to legalize gay marriage. Most of the opposition to the bill is coming from the religious conservatives in Ireland. The Catholic Church teaches homosexuality is a sin, but the church has lost much off its influence in Ireland due to child abuse scandals.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, some U.S. anti-gay groups are supporting the No campaign. The National Organization for Marriage is reportedly one of the groups funneling money to the no campaign in Ireland.

The No campaign has been arguing the sanctity of marriage. They spread “children deserve a mother and a father”posters around Ireland that pictured a couple kissing their child. Since then, the couple pictured in the posters voiced their disapproval of their photo being used in the manner that it was. The couple released a statement to Amnesty International to clarify their view on the issue.

“We completely support same-sex marriage, and we believe that same-sex couples’ should of course be able to adopt, as we believe that they are equally able to provide children with much-needed love and care. To suggest otherwise is offensive to us, and to many others,”

Even on the religious side, attitudes toward same-sex marriage appear to be changing. The Association of Catholic Priests released a statement in March in which it urged priests not to take a stance on the issue.

The opinion polls have indicated that there is overwhelming support for the proposed bill. One poll by the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI found that support for the bill is at 70% while just 30% are opposed to it.

Even though the bill is expected to have more than enough support to pass, the Yes campaign isn’t slowing due to the projections. The Yes campaign is encouraging all eligible emigrants to travel back to Ireland to cast their vote in person.

The votes won’t be counted until Saturday and there won’t be an official result until later on Saturday.

[image via Charles McQuillan/Getty Images]