Vote in Ireland Could Complete a Rapid Shift on Gay Marriage
Source: New York Times
DUBLIN In 1993, Ireland was among the last countries in the Western World to decriminalize homosexuality. Some 22 years later, it could become the first to legalize same-sex marriages by popular vote.
With a rapidity that has astonished even proponents, Ireland, a country that rescinded its Victorian-era law governing homosexuality the same legislation England used in 1895 to imprison Oscar Wilde only after it had been dragged before the European Court of Human Rights, will go to the polls on Friday to decide on gay marriage rights.
Ireland becomes the latest place though perhaps a surprising one to take up the issue, in a global swing that in just the past few years has seen states, countries and people seriously considering expanding marriage to include gays.
Social, religious, political and legal mores have been falling by the wayside, and laws are being changed through legislatures, courts and, in some local cases, popular vote.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/22/world/europe/vote-in-ireland-could-complete-a-rapid-shift-on-gay-marriage.html?_r=0
Despite Ireland's notoriously dismal record on abortion and divorce, it may finally lead the way on gay marriage!
shenmue
(38,501 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)peasambo
(3 posts)Just on way to vote myself, and all indicators point to a Yes win good day for ireland
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)It would be excellent for Ireland to pull this off