Ireland’s ‘Yes’ For Same-Sex Marriage Referendum Is Nothing Short Of Remarkable; While The Archbishop Urges ‘Reality Check’

In a landmark referendum, the Republic of Ireland has voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in their country. More than 62 percent approved amending the nation’s constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to take legal wedding vows.

The verdict on Friday has made Ireland the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. The official results were announced on Saturday at a Dublin Castle press conference declared: 1,201,607 voted for the referendum, while 734,300 voted against it, said Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, an elections official.

Media reports suggested the result let to a massive street party around the gay populated central Dublin. Ireland is now a part of the 20 other countries worldwide that respect same-sex marriage.

"Today Ireland has made history -- the first country in the world to vote for equal marriage," Prime Minister Enda Kenny told the media. Ireland witnessed the historic referendum 22 years post the homosexual acts were being decriminalized.

Rory O'Neill or "Panti Bliss", Ireland's leading drag queen and a star "Yes" campaigner said, "It's an amazing day to be Irish,” as she joined the castle party wearing a figure-hugging dress and high heels.

Meanwhile, Diarmuid Martin, the archbishop of Dublin, said it’s about time the Church in Ireland reconnected with the youths in the country. The archbishop told the broadcaster RTE advising the people of Ireland to have a "reality check".

While appreciating the people in the homosexual community celebrate their victory on Saturday, the archbishop urged, the change must happen "without changing the definition of marriage".

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