'Ireland hasn't just said Yes... it has said F*** YEAH!': Irish equality minister joins thousands celebrating across the country as first gay marriage vote results point to landslide victory for supporters
Supporters for same-sex marriage and gay rights activists were
celebrating across Dublin today after it became apparent from early
polls results that Ireland is set to legalise gay marriage. Early
results revealed that the country had voted overwhelmingly for allowing
same-sex unions following the historic referendum. Counting is still
under way, but anti-gay marriage campaigners have already started
conceding defeat. People across Ireland turned out to vote in the
referendum.
'Ireland hasn't just said Yes... it has said F*** YEAH!': Irish equality minister joins thousands celebrating across the country as first gay marriage vote results point to landslide victory for supporters
- Ireland has voted to allow gay marriage, with all constituencies bar one saying yes to constitutional reform
- Historic referendum means country will be the first in the world to legalise same-sex unions by a public vote
- Celebrations spilled out into the streets of Dublin as the result became clear, with equalities minister joining in
Ireland will legalise gay marriage after voters overwhelmingly backed allowing same-sex unions in a historic referendum.
Celebrations
spilled out into Dublin city centre as it became clear that the
campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples was heading
for a landslide victory.
With
more than half of the results in, all constituencies bar one have so
far voted in favour of gay marriage, with more than 62 per cent backing
reform.
Ireland's
equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result
became clear, tweeting: 'Ireland hasn't just said "Yes"... Ireland has
said: "F*** YEAAHHHH"'.
Scroll down for videos
Victory: Monnine Griffith (left) and
Clodagh Robinson (right) celebrate after early results suggested an
overwhelming majority in favour of the referendum on same-sex marriage
at the Dublin City count centre
Erin Reedy (left) and Dee Campbell
(right) were among those celebrating in the sunshine at Dublin Castle as
the result became clearer
Ireland's
equalities minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin lost his composure as the result
became clear, showing his opinion on the early results
Celebrations: Early results suggest
the campaign to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples will
succeed following the historic referendum in Ireland
In Dublin (pictured), the result was
expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage while in many other
parts of the country the constitutional amendment was expected to be
passed by about two to one
A couple celebrate with a kiss as it
began to become clear that the campaign to extend the right to marry to
same-sex couples will succeed
Gay rights activists were seen hugging
and celebrating as results filtered through to those waiting outside
the main count in the capital
Yes: Supporters for same-sex marriage
Helen Kelleher (left) and Elin Adler (right) share a kiss as they
celebrate outside a gay bar in Dublin
Pleased: Gay rights activists were
seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared to be on the verge of
becoming the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage
by popular vote this afternoon
With
39 constituencies so far returning official results, Ireland is on
course to pass gay marriage rights reform more than 62 per cent in
favour.
All
but one region - Roscommon South Leitrim - have backed same-sex unions
at this stage, with over a million voting for and 640,000 against across
Ireland.
The
biggest support was recorded in Dublin Central with a 72 per cent
majority for the Yes side, but there were closer results in some parts
of the nation.
Gay
rights activists were seen hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared
to be on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to
introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote.
In
Dublin the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay
marriage while in many other parts of the country the constitutional
amendment was expected to be passed by about two to one.
Equalities
minister Mr Ó Ríordáin, following his emotional tweet, said: 'This has
really touched a nerve in Ireland. 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.'
Speaking on Sky News, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said this was 'a huge day for equality'.
He
said: 'I also think that given that the government parties were
pressing quite rightly for equality in this issue then we need equality
in other issues - we need equality in social issues, economic issues we
need everything to be equality. So this is a hugely important day for
the LGBT community and everybody else.'
A gay couple kiss outside a count centre in Dublin after Ireland appeared to overwhelmingly back same-sex unions
Equality: Around 2,000 Yes supporters gathered at Dublin Castle, which was opened to the public by the Irish government
Two women kiss as the results continued to pour in suggesting that Ireland has voted to allow same-sex marriages
Rory O'Neill, known by her drag persona Pantie Bliss, celebrates with yes supporters at Dublin Castle this afternoon
Gay rights campaigners were seen
hugging and celebrating as Ireland appeared to be on the verge of
becoming the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage
by popular vote
With counting of ballots only
beginning at 9am, early indications suggest the campaign to extend the
right to marry to same-sex couples will succeed
An official result is expected this
afternoon after counting is complete, but campaigners against reform
have already started admitting defeat
Ireland's
deputy prime minister, Labour Party leader Joan Burton, said Ireland
was becoming 'a rainbow nation with a huge amount of diversity'.
Leo Varadkar, Ireland's health minister and first openly gay cabinet member, said it was a special day.
'It seems to me that the Irish people had their minds made up on this some time ago,' he said.
Senator
David Norris, one of the key figures in having homosexuality
decriminalised in the 1990s, said: 'I believe that by the end of today
gay people will be equal in this country. I think it's wonderful.
'It's
a little bit late for me. As I said the other day I've spent so much
time pushing the boat out that I forgot to jump on and now it's out
beyond the harbour on the high seas, but it's very nice to look at.'
Pat
Carey, a former government minister who came out as gay earlier this
year aged 68, welled up saying: 'It's down to the brave, ordinary people
of Ireland who took their courage in their hands.'
Young
people are said to have turned out in unprecedented numbers to cast
their vote, with an official result due this afternoon.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said there was a movement of young people who were firmly behind the reforms.
'I
think from a young person's perspective, particularly for those who
travelled from wherever to wherever to put a simple mark on a paper,
shows the value of the issue and the importance of politics,' he said.
John
Murray, director of the Iona Institute religious think-tank - one of
the leading groups fighting the reform - admitted defeat this morning.
'Obviously
I'd be disappointed in that. We did our best to fight a good campaign
and if having run that we haven't won it, we did our best,' he said.
'Everyone is saying it is Yes and I'm not going to argue with that.'
Results
from the constituencies will be fed back to the count headquarters in
Dublin Castle, where young people draped in rainbow-coloured flags sat
in circles awaiting the result, talking to curious tourists.
The Irish government, which lobbied for a Yes vote, has opened the building to campaigners.
At last: Gay couple Michael Barron and
Jamie Nanci embrace after early indications suggested Ireland had voted
in favour of allowing gay marriage
Equality: In Dublin, the result was expected to be a landslide in favour of gay marriage, with men embracing as they celebrated
Two Carmelite Nuns cast their votes in
Ireland's gay marriage referendum yesterday morning, with thouasnds
voting across the nation
A high voter turnout was recorded across the country, with a huge increase in young people voting on the issue of gay marriage
Wedding: Newlyweds Ann Cole and
Vincent Fox prepare to cast their vote at a polling station in Dublin
just hours after getting married themselves. Early results suggest
Ireland will go-ahead with same-sex marriages
Civil partners Paul Higgins and Richard Lucey shared a kiss as they cast their votes at a polling station yesterday
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality
just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967 and
had its first same-sex unions last year
Irish
voters were asked whether they support or reject a change to the
country's constitution, so it would read: 'Marriage may be contracted in
accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their
sex.'
The constitution's definition of family will not be changed, including a section that states a woman's place is at home.
Other
countries have held referendums on gay marriage, including Croatia,
Slovakia and Slovenia, where same-sex unions were voted against by the
electorate.
Ireland decriminalised homosexuality just 22 years ago in 1993, while the UK made gay sex legal in 1967.
The first gay marriages in Britain took place last year but they are still outlawed in Northern Ireland.
In
a separate referendum also being held today, voters are being asked
their views on proposals to reduce the age limit on who can stand for
the presidency from 35 to 21.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário