UPDATE (May 24, 2015, 2:00 PM PST): Ireland legalized same-sex marriages by a popular vote, the final results of which were announced on Saturday.
62 percent (1,201,607 votes) voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriages, while 38 percent (734,300 votes) voted against. The voter turnout was over 60 percent, according to reports.
Though same-sex marriages are legal in 20 countries, most of these countries legalized the union through legislation or the courts. Ireland is the first country to legalize same-sex marriages by way of voting.
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Ireland will hold a public vote for the approval of same-sex marriage on Friday. This is the first time that the constitutionality of same-sex marriage may be decided by the public rather than the courts.
The majority of Ireland is Roman Catholic and has conservative roots. About 85 percent of Irish people identify as Catholics. However, recent polls suggest that the majority of Irish voters support same-sex marriage. An Irish Times poll last week shows that 70 percent of participants supported same-sex marriage whereas only about 30 percent were against it.
Those who support the same-sex marriage believe that the right to marry is a fundamental right that should be allowed to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation. Proponents of traditional marriage in Ireland argue that the family structure will suffer as a result of same-sex marriage. Allowing same-sex marriage would change the family structure, and thereby create a difficult environment for children of those families. Conservatives also state that allowing same-sex marriage completely redefines the institution of marriage.
"Marriage is linked with the family where mothers and fathers bring different, yet complementary gifts and strengths into a child's life. Marriage is not simply about a wedding ceremony or about two people being in love with each other," wrote Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in a note to the Catholic churches in Ireland.
"I encourage you to consider very carefully the profound implications which the constitutional amendment on marriage would have on the family and on our understanding of parenthood ... The change is not simply about extending marriage rights to others; it is not just a debate about religious views; it is a fundamental change in the philosophy which underpins cohesion in society and thus affects and concerns every citizen," he wrote.
"I urge you before voting to remember that marriage really matters and to reflect carefully and be informed before changing its definition."
A decision in Ireland regarding same-sex marriage may have impact in the U.S., where the Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of same-sex marriage in the coming months.
