In a resounding victory for LGBT rights, Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage passed with a landslide. BuzzFeed News reports from inside Dublin Castle, where campaigners rejoiced and history was made.
Liam Murphy/BuzzFeed News
DUBLIN, IRELAND -- Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by a vote of the people on Saturday, prompting joyous scenes of celebration from supporters who gathered here.
With a landslide victory for the "Yes" campaign, the results of the referendum revealed 62.1% had voted in favour of same-sex marriage, while 38% voted against, with a majority of more than 400,000. The voter turnout of 61% was among the highest in Irish electoral history.
In extraordinary scenes at Dublin castle, where the results were announced by Referendum Returning Officer Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile at 7 p.m., Yes supporters erupted into spontaneous cheers and applause, amid people jumping in celebration, hugging, crying -- their fists raised in victory. Roars of approval rang out across the ancient courtyard as the more than 4,000-strong crowd celebrated, while the international press captured the jubilant moment.
Liam Murphy/BuzzFeed News
On stage at the front of the courtyard, Brian Sheehan, co-director of the Yes Equality campaign, told the crowds: "The Irish people have done something extraordinary, generous, loving, caring, inclusive. They have said that lesbian and gay people are, for once, full and equal citizens in Ireland...and we're the first country in the world to have done so by popular vote."
Applause reverberated around the castle.
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