Gay Marriage Is Now Legal In Ireland, As Gay Couple Get Couple Get Married Today
Same-sex marriage is now legal in the Republic of Ireland, after legislation passed by referendum in May came into effect Monday.
The Irish state became the first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote when the Marriage Act 2015 was passed.
Same-sex couples who have been wed abroad will now be legally recognized by the state, while gay and lesbian couples who want to marry will be able to do so. People already in civil partnerships can now choose to wed as well. The law will not affect the legal status of existing civil partners who do not want to get married.
The new act only applies to civil marriage, so any religious organization or Irish church that objects to the new law will not be forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Meanwhile, two men, Richard Dowling and Cormac Gollogly will walk down the aisle today, thereby making history by becoming one of the first, if not the first same sex marriage registered in Ireland.
BBC report
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