Ireland could make history with gay marriage vote

DUBLIN — In what could be a historic vote, an estimated 3 million people across Ireland were expected to cast ballots Friday on whether to approve same-sex marriage, a change that appeared likely to pass despite opposition from the Roman Catholic church in this overwhelmingly Catholic nation.

A "yes" vote to change Ireland's constitution to give gay couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples would mark the first victory for gay marriage by nationwide referendum.

Eighteen other countries have legalized same-sex marriage through legislation or the courts, but not by a public vote. Approval by Irish voters would be a sea change, in a country that only decriminalized homosexuality in 1993.

Polls close at 10 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET) and results may not be known until Saturday.

Pre-election polls showed a large majority in favor of same-sex marriage. But opponents, who challenge the potential legal, religious and social implications of such a change, are hoping last-minute doubters of such a major step will turn out to defeat the measure.

Electoral officers across Ireland reported a strong turnout at the many churches, pubs and schools where voting took place.

While debate on the referendum has exposed some of the deep, lingering divisions in Irish society, it has also benefited from a lack of vitriolic rhetoric from the church that characterized previous referendums here on divorce and abortion.

As its influence has waned, and still smarting from child abuse scandals, the church has been careful not to take an active role in the debate. Instead, it has been releasing a series of carefully worded statements.

"I believe that civil partnerships give gay people clear civil rights and recognition as people committed to one another, and I fully endorse this," Pat Storey, Ireland's first female bishop, wrote in a letter to her clergy this week in explaining her "No" vote. "However, I do not think this requires the redefinition of marriage to uphold it, and I do not believe marriage should be redefined."

Ireland introduced legislation on civil unions for same-sex couples in 2010. While marriage is protected under the country's constitution, partnerships are not, meaning that these rights can theoretically be revoked by future lawmakers. By contrast, changes to Ireland's constitution require a national referendum.

Among those voting in Ireland's capital on Friday morning was taxi driver John Quinn, who said he voted "yes."

Although he was not aware of all the implications of backing the change, he said his instincts told him that introducing marriage equality rights for same-sex couples was the correct and necessary thing to do. "Sometimes making these difficult decisions is as simple as listening to what your gut says," Quinn said.

Under Irish law, citizens living abroad are entitled to vote in Friday's election but only if they return to Ireland. About 60,000 expatriates are eligible to vote and many nationals living as far afield as Canada and Australia were doing just that on Friday.

"Ireland is already ahead of the curve in comparison to Australia when it comes to gay rights and if we pass this it will put more pressure on Australian politicians to introduce marriage equality there," Mark Govern, who works in Sydney but flew home to cast his vote, told the Irish Independent. Dublin to Sydney is a 21,000-mile round-trip.

The #HomeToVote hash tag was trending on Twitter.

The musician Hozier said he was "flying in to vote" and that it's "the most important thing you'll do. Don't forget!"

Oran Doyle, a constitutional law expert at Trinity College Dublin, said that if the vote fails, it is unlikely the government would take immediate steps to force through legislation — as happened in Slovenia after a 2012 referendum was rejected there.

Instead, he said, Ireland would likely wait five or 10 years and then hold another national referendum in the belief that attitudes may have evolved further.

"Nearly everyone I know thinks I'm too optimistic," Doyle, who is gay, said. "I think this is going to pass 2-1."