Ireland Votes to Legalize Gay Marriage

Early poll numbers indicate that Ireland may very well be the first nation to legalize gay marriage by popular vote.

As a historically Roman Catholic nation, Ireland seemed an unlikely candidate to achieve such a distinction, but soon after officials began counting early votes in Dublin Castle, those from both sides have been saying that the "Vote Yes" side has won.

Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming tweeted early on Saturday,

@Alancumming: "Omfg! Ireland! Have you done it? Is it really a YES?"

The official results of the vote will be revealed on Saturday afternoon. Specifically, the nation is voting to alter the constitution so that marriage may be between two people, "without distinction as to their sex." Less than twenty years ago, Ireland also declared that homosexuality would no longer be punishable by law.

"I think this is a moment that rebrands Ireland to a lot of folks around the world as a country not stuck in tradition but that has an inclusive tradition," said international director of the Human Rights Campaign Ty Cobb.

Irish Senator David Norris, who began the movement to decriminalize homosexuality in Ireland, said, "It was wonderful the vote was so overwhelming. The straight people of Ireland have said welcome to the Irish family. This should be a template for the rest of the world."

Source: New York Times