By Huge Margin, Eire Votes To Approve Same Sex Marriage

May 23, 2015• byMichael Strangeways

Paul Bonass and Luke Hoare Greene kiss in front of yes balloons at Dublin castle
Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA

Despite its centuries of rigid Catholicism, The Republic of Ireland, aka Eire, became the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. The election was held Saturday, May 23, 2015. The results via The Guardian:

All the results are in, and the returning officer, Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, has declared that Ireland has passed the same-sex marriage referendum by 1,201,607 votes to 734,300. That’s 62.1% yes to 37.9% no. The total turnout was 60.5%.

Crowds gathered in front of Dublin Castle to celebrate this victory for equal rights for LGBTQ people.

It’s a meaningful vote for the LGBTQ community and allies of Washington State as we also passed similar legislation by a popular vote.

Éirinn go Brách

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.