Ireland becomes first country to constitutionally legalise same-sex marriage

Ireland becomes first country to constitutionally legalise same-sex marriage  

Republic of Ireland on 23 May 2015 became first country in the world to constitutionally legalise same-sex marriage. The referendum on this issue to amend country’s written constitution was passed with a resounding 62.1 per cent ‘Yes’. Off the total voter turnout of 60.5 per cent, 1,201,607 people voted in favour of same-sex marriage, while 734,300 voted against it. Ireland has a written constitution which can only be amended by referendum. With this passage of same-sex marriage referendum, now Irish constitution gives equal status to marriage between two people of the same sex as compared to a marriage between a man and a woman. Now in Ireleand same sex married persons will be recognised as a family and will be entitled to the constitutional protection and their rights.