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DUBLIN (AP) — Catholic leaders and gay rights activists alike are calling the gay marriage vote in Ireland a sign of a "social revolution."
More than three out of five voters gave their approval to changing the nation's constitution to allow same-sex marriage. Ireland becomes the first country to approve gay marriage in a popular national vote.
Many gay couples are taking the opportunity to declare their intentions, or to renew their vows after being married earlier in another country.
The archbishop of Dublin says the Catholic church "needs to do a reality check." He says the rejection of church teaching means Catholic leaders need to urgently find a new message and voice for reaching Ireland's young.
Analysts credited the "yes" side with adeptly employing social media to mobilize young voters, tens of thousands of whom voted for the first time Friday.
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166-a-15-(Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, at news conference)-"and joyful people"-Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny says Ireland has made history, becoming the first nation to vote to legalize gay marriage. (23 May 2015)
<<CUT *166 (05/23/15)££ 00:15 "and joyful people"
167-a-06-(Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, at news conference)-"to equal marriage"-Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny says Irish voters have made a statement to the world by voting yes to legalizing same-sex marriage. (23 May 2015)
<<CUT *167 (05/23/15)££ 00:06 "to equal marriage"
APPHOTO XPM109: Rory O'Neill, known by the Drag persona Panti, celebrates with yes supporters at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (23 May 2015)
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APPHOTO XPM108: Two men kiss as first results start to filter through in the referendum, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (23 May 2015)
<<APPHOTO XPM108 (05/23/15)££
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