Ireland is celebrating the first anniversary of the referendum that saw their marriage laws changed to allow for equality.
On May 22nd last year 62% of voters in Ireland showed their support for marriage equality.
The first marriages began on November 16th last year when couples who were already in civil partnerships were able to apply to categorise their union as a marriage. The following day the first same sex marriage ceremonies began.
Since then 412 same sex couples have tied the knot.
Statistics released by Ireland’s Department of Social Protection ahead of the anniversary of the referendum show that same sex marriages have taken place over most parts of the country.
The large majority of these ceremonies took place in the capital with 213 marriages registered in Dublin over the past seven months. There were 43 same-sex marriages in Cork, followed by 25 in Limerick, 17 in Wicklow and 14 in Galway.
The lowest number of registered same-sex marriages took place in Carlow, Leitrim and Monaghan with only one marriage in each county. The odd country out was Clare – where no same sex marriages have occurred since the laws changed.
Church cancels anti-gay speaker
The Church of Ireland has faced a new controversy in the lead up to the anniversary.
Argentinean evangalist Ed Silvoso was invited to speak at the Redcross Church north of Arklow on the day of the anniversary.
Silvoso, who has described the marriage of gay couples as “blatant immorality”, and who has previously said homosexuality is a “a challenge in the natural”, was due to speak at the church but the invitation has been rescinded after it was highlighted that the talk would coincide with the historic celebration.
The Argentinean preacher has also claimed to cure men of homosexuality through strict following of his teachings and baptism ceremonies.
OIP Staff
