Ireland set to legalise same-sex marriage

[MKR&*42]

Not all constituencies confirmed yet, but it seems incredibly likely the yes vote has won:

Figures suggest the Republic of Ireland has voted to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum.

More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Government ministers have said they believe it will pass, while prominent "no" campaigners have conceded defeat.

Counting started at 09:00 BST on Saturday morning. An "unusually high" turnout has been reported.

A final result is expected late afternoon on Saturday.

If the change is approved, the Republic of Ireland would become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote.

The final result is expected later on Saturday afternoon

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar, who earlier this year came out as the Republic of Ireland's first openly gay minister, said the campaign had been "almost like a social revolution".

With 34 constituencies now declared [out of 43], the Yes vote is 61.7% and No at 38.3%. The number of Yes votes is 964,616, with 599,505 for No.

Only one constituency so far has had a 'no' majority I believe.
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Congratulations Ireland

[Paracme]

#goinghometovote trending. Proud.

[-:Undertaker:-]

From an outsider view, it really seems like the Vatican is afraid or unwilling to make strong arguments for moral issues. The Papacy should realise that it won't win victories if it follows the route of protestant churches like the Church of England which is as much use as a chocolate teapot to Christian beliefs.

[lemons]

go ireland

[Phil]

I am so happy words can't even express! I have been a little bit worried about it, would be very embarrassing if it didn't get passed. I have never been so proud to be Irish and furthermore I have never been so proud of my town! My town had the highest Yes Vote in the country NOT including the capital.

The whole world was watching today and Ireland pulled through, I'm delighted!

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From an outsider view, it really seems like the Vatican is afraid or unwilling to make strong arguments for moral issues. The Papacy should realise that it won't win victories if it follows the route of protestant churches like the Church of England which is as much use as a chocolate teapot to Christian beliefs.

Literally no idea what this means, dumb it down for me pleasseee

[-:Undertaker:-]

Literally no idea what this means, dumb it down for me pleasseee

That it didn't seem like the Pope or the Catholic Church made much of a strong or passionate argument against. It often seems the case when it comes to moral issues like this that those for traditional marriage are too afraid to go out there and make a strong, unapologetic argument - unlike their opponents.

[xxMATTGxx]

Well done Ireland!

[Phil]

That it didn't seem like the Pope or the Catholic Church made much of a strong or passionate argument against. It often seems the case when it comes to moral issues like this that those for traditional marriage are too afraid to go out there and make a strong, unapologetic argument - unlike their opponents.

Why should they do anything?

A lot of people tried the religious approach from the No campaign at the beginning but it wasn't working so they changed to scaremongering by spouting pure nonsense on bad researched facts and made it about children which is not what the election was about. There were a good few signs and stuff taking the religious approach such as "God says no, Nature says no, VOTE NO" and then some with like quotes from the bible and stuff which were also nonsense.
Someone approached me the other day and said "If you don't have God in your life you aren't satisfied" which is both incorrect and has nothing to do with it

If you were here you'd see that they put up a very strong and very unapologetic campaign. They did a much better job than the Yes side but it was all based on things like children, not marriage.

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It has just been announced. Ireland are the first country in the world to vote in Marriage Equality by popular vote!

[-:Undertaker:-]

Why should they do anything?

A lot of people tried the religious approach from the No campaign at the beginning but it wasn't working so they changed to scaremongering by spouting pure nonsense on bad researched facts and made it about children which is not what the election was about. There were a good few signs and stuff taking the religious approach such as "God says no, Nature says no, VOTE NO" and then some with like quotes from the bible and stuff which were also nonsense.
Someone approached me the other day and said "If you don't have God in your life you aren't satisfied" which is both incorrect and has nothing to do with it

If you were here you'd see that they put up a very strong and very unapologetic campaign. They did a much better job than the Yes side but it was all based on things like children, not marriage.

It depends on your opinion of the matter although again from an outsider point of view, I did not see any big intervention by the Vatican or the Pope (who have influence in your country as it is a Catholic country) and if it's anything like over here, then you wouldn't have had any proper religious arguments made either. There's a weakness by religious people now to make forceful arguments based on faith, and if they don't put forth a forceful argument against opponents who are doing the same then they'll lose as they just have in southern Ireland.

Personally if the circumstances mirror anything like over here, I would have voted No. But hey ho.

[Phil]

It depends on your opinion of the matter although again from an outsider point of view, I did not see any big intervention by the Vatican or the Pope (who have influence in your country as it is a Catholic country) and if it's anything like over here, then you wouldn't have had any proper religious arguments made either.

Personally if the circumstances mirror anything like over here, I would have voted No. But hey ho.

Why would you have voted no?