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‘Ireland might just have become a great little country in which to be gay’ ‘Ireland might just have become a great little country in which to be gay’
(about 1 hour later)
“It’s our Berlin Wall,” said Leonora Frawley. And on Saturday it was euphoria, tears and even some overwhelmed disbelief as news dripped in, ballot box by ballot box, that the Irish had become the first people in the world to give a popular vote to gay marriage.“It’s our Berlin Wall,” said Leonora Frawley. And on Saturday it was euphoria, tears and even some overwhelmed disbelief as news dripped in, ballot box by ballot box, that the Irish had become the first people in the world to give a popular vote to gay marriage.
On a gloriously sunny day in Dublin, the rainbow flags and scarves were bright, slung out of windows, draped around statues and over shoulders as couples walked arm in arm, hand in hand, gripping their loved ones as if this wondrous day might be snatched away.On a gloriously sunny day in Dublin, the rainbow flags and scarves were bright, slung out of windows, draped around statues and over shoulders as couples walked arm in arm, hand in hand, gripping their loved ones as if this wondrous day might be snatched away.
The streets were suddenly noisy with whistles and car horns as impromptu mini parades and parties started, ahead of the all-night parties at Dublin’s most famous bars and clubs. Celebrations were going ahead too in Galway, Cork and Westport, and dozens of venues across Ireland.The streets were suddenly noisy with whistles and car horns as impromptu mini parades and parties started, ahead of the all-night parties at Dublin’s most famous bars and clubs. Celebrations were going ahead too in Galway, Cork and Westport, and dozens of venues across Ireland.
By the time the official announcement was made, after 5pm, the result was clear, even though a few, dazed and held in the suspense that had gripped the yes campaign since the polls closed on Friday, had not allowed themselves to believe it until it was official.By the time the official announcement was made, after 5pm, the result was clear, even though a few, dazed and held in the suspense that had gripped the yes campaign since the polls closed on Friday, had not allowed themselves to believe it until it was official.
“I waited,” said Lizzie Armstrong, 22, tears coursing down her checks, as she clung to her girlfriend on the cobbles of Dublin Castle. “And now it’s hit me. Because now I’m the same as you.”“I waited,” said Lizzie Armstrong, 22, tears coursing down her checks, as she clung to her girlfriend on the cobbles of Dublin Castle. “And now it’s hit me. Because now I’m the same as you.”
Related: Ireland becomes first country to legalise gay marriage by popular vote
No campaigners started conceding defeat, most graciously, others in despair. “I cry for Ireland,” said Paddy Monaghan, a prominent No campaigner, who had formed a coalition of cross-denominational churches and clergy to urge against gay marriage, controversially diverting the debate on to gay surrogacy and adoption. Some posters were being pulled down as souvenirs. One of them read: “Every child needs a mother’s love.”No campaigners started conceding defeat, most graciously, others in despair. “I cry for Ireland,” said Paddy Monaghan, a prominent No campaigner, who had formed a coalition of cross-denominational churches and clergy to urge against gay marriage, controversially diverting the debate on to gay surrogacy and adoption. Some posters were being pulled down as souvenirs. One of them read: “Every child needs a mother’s love.”
“That was my first stand-up row,” said Frawley, a 44-year-old barrister who now plans to marry her long-term partner and the mother of her son, Henry, as soon as they legally can. “We have been so worried. A No would have been crushing for us as a family. It’s very easy when you’ve your friends all saying they’re voting Yes, but we were out canvassing in Sligo and the view there was very grim. I never believed the line about the Nos being silent; I found them very vocal. It’s been personally hurtful at times and then very heart-warming.“That was my first stand-up row,” said Frawley, a 44-year-old barrister who now plans to marry her long-term partner and the mother of her son, Henry, as soon as they legally can. “We have been so worried. A No would have been crushing for us as a family. It’s very easy when you’ve your friends all saying they’re voting Yes, but we were out canvassing in Sligo and the view there was very grim. I never believed the line about the Nos being silent; I found them very vocal. It’s been personally hurtful at times and then very heart-warming.
“I’ve found both support and rejection where I really didn’t expect it. I have an older friend who I’d presumed was No. I hadn’t discussed it, then I said to him that Henry has two mummies and he’s right out there on the phone, garnering votes – he says he got about 25 Yes votes. And he’s nearly 70.“I’ve found both support and rejection where I really didn’t expect it. I have an older friend who I’d presumed was No. I hadn’t discussed it, then I said to him that Henry has two mummies and he’s right out there on the phone, garnering votes – he says he got about 25 Yes votes. And he’s nearly 70.
“The humanity in this country – it has shown a wholehearted support for someone who is gay, for the families, for the whole community. The people who came back to vote were very important; to see them arriving was very moving.”“The humanity in this country – it has shown a wholehearted support for someone who is gay, for the families, for the whole community. The people who came back to vote were very important; to see them arriving was very moving.”
Joey Kavanagh was one of them. He organised “gettheboat2vote”, corralling dozens of “skint young London Irish” to make the 10-hour train and boat journey to a polling station: “We arrived at Dublin port to find quite a welcome.”Joey Kavanagh was one of them. He organised “gettheboat2vote”, corralling dozens of “skint young London Irish” to make the 10-hour train and boat journey to a polling station: “We arrived at Dublin port to find quite a welcome.”
Renditions of Tá na gays ag teacht abhaile – the gays are coming home – became a rousing anthem heard at ports and airports as young men and women flew in – from across Britain, from Canada, France and Austria and at least two from Australia – to vote.Renditions of Tá na gays ag teacht abhaile – the gays are coming home – became a rousing anthem heard at ports and airports as young men and women flew in – from across Britain, from Canada, France and Austria and at least two from Australia – to vote.
“I’m glad I did it,” said Kavanagh. “For months, my body has been in London but my heart and mind in Ireland. This is one of the most strange and wonderful days of my life. Cloud nine. The amazing stories we’ve heard have been so uplifting.”“I’m glad I did it,” said Kavanagh. “For months, my body has been in London but my heart and mind in Ireland. This is one of the most strange and wonderful days of my life. Cloud nine. The amazing stories we’ve heard have been so uplifting.”
And it was personal tales that dominated the referendum as one after another of Ireland’s best-known faces came out and threw down their private lives as gauntlets to inequality.And it was personal tales that dominated the referendum as one after another of Ireland’s best-known faces came out and threw down their private lives as gauntlets to inequality.
Related: Ireland says yes to same-sex marriage - in pictures
Former president Mary McAleese had particular impact: a woman known for her faith, she put her arms around her gay son Justin, admitted her own journey and asked the rest of Ireland to embrace equality by voting Yes. Fine Gael senator and Olympic athlete Eamonn Coghlan did the same.Former president Mary McAleese had particular impact: a woman known for her faith, she put her arms around her gay son Justin, admitted her own journey and asked the rest of Ireland to embrace equality by voting Yes. Fine Gael senator and Olympic athlete Eamonn Coghlan did the same.
Political journalist Ursula Halligan says she can no longer walk down the street without people hugging her and bursting into tears after she came out at the age of 54 to the readers of the Irish Times, penning an intensely personal article about her sexuality.Political journalist Ursula Halligan says she can no longer walk down the street without people hugging her and bursting into tears after she came out at the age of 54 to the readers of the Irish Times, penning an intensely personal article about her sexuality.
Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole wrote in the New York Times last month: “Once people were out of the closet, they were not ‘them’ but ‘us’ – family, friends, neighbours. This is a powerful force in a close-knit country like Ireland.”Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole wrote in the New York Times last month: “Once people were out of the closet, they were not ‘them’ but ‘us’ – family, friends, neighbours. This is a powerful force in a close-knit country like Ireland.”
And there are new heroes, among them Senator David Norris, a towering icon of the equality fight in Ireland, who said he rejected completely the notion that a Yes vote was anything but completely in character for Ireland.And there are new heroes, among them Senator David Norris, a towering icon of the equality fight in Ireland, who said he rejected completely the notion that a Yes vote was anything but completely in character for Ireland.
“I was the first openly gay person in the world to take office. It happened in Ireland. We’ve had a succession of brilliant women presidents – in Ireland. There’s been such utter rubbish spouted. No Catholic priest is going to be forced to marry gay people – although it wouldn’t kill them to give a couple a blessing. They’re happy to bless bombs, pets, agricultural implements. You’d think a blessing for two people who love each other would be easier than blessing a couple of goldfish.“I was the first openly gay person in the world to take office. It happened in Ireland. We’ve had a succession of brilliant women presidents – in Ireland. There’s been such utter rubbish spouted. No Catholic priest is going to be forced to marry gay people – although it wouldn’t kill them to give a couple a blessing. They’re happy to bless bombs, pets, agricultural implements. You’d think a blessing for two people who love each other would be easier than blessing a couple of goldfish.
“It’s a brilliant day. Sadly, I had a liver transplant last year, so I can’t have a drink to celebrate; I’ll just see if I can’t steal a joint from someone and blow a few marijuana smoke rings.”“It’s a brilliant day. Sadly, I had a liver transplant last year, so I can’t have a drink to celebrate; I’ll just see if I can’t steal a joint from someone and blow a few marijuana smoke rings.”
But even in a country famous for its reservoir of literary heroes and outspoken rebels, change has come fast. Homosexuality was only decriminalised in 1993 and divorce legalised in 1995 by a margin of just 9,000. The gay equality campaign really began in 1983, after a judge let four young men walk free after the murder of 31-year-old Declan Flynn. Their defence was that they were clearing Dublin’s streets of deviants.But even in a country famous for its reservoir of literary heroes and outspoken rebels, change has come fast. Homosexuality was only decriminalised in 1993 and divorce legalised in 1995 by a margin of just 9,000. The gay equality campaign really began in 1983, after a judge let four young men walk free after the murder of 31-year-old Declan Flynn. Their defence was that they were clearing Dublin’s streets of deviants.
Flynn’s brother said the most upsetting thing about the case was that Declan was “innocent of these allegations” of being homosexual.Flynn’s brother said the most upsetting thing about the case was that Declan was “innocent of these allegations” of being homosexual.
“That was the first year of a march, of a real organised gay movement,” said Jason Flynn – no relation – the current head of Dublin’s Gay Pride. “What happened to Declan Flynn galvanised people, and we’ve seen that protest ebb and peak over the years.“That was the first year of a march, of a real organised gay movement,” said Jason Flynn – no relation – the current head of Dublin’s Gay Pride. “What happened to Declan Flynn galvanised people, and we’ve seen that protest ebb and peak over the years.
“Being gay is tough – knowing that a ‘normal life’ will not be available to you. This vote will go a long way to helping future generations. I think I can confidently say we’ll be having the biggest Pride ever in Dublin this June.”“Being gay is tough – knowing that a ‘normal life’ will not be available to you. This vote will go a long way to helping future generations. I think I can confidently say we’ll be having the biggest Pride ever in Dublin this June.”
Ireland has had a tough time of late – not just economically, but with political corruption scandals and the Catholic church’s involvement in widespread historical child abuse.Ireland has had a tough time of late – not just economically, but with political corruption scandals and the Catholic church’s involvement in widespread historical child abuse.
There have been moments of jaw-dropping daftness during the debate – a Galway politician tweeted that gay marriage could lead to Mother’s Day being banned – but also genuine fear. In Drogheda, County Louth, Mike O’Leary is risking a hefty fine after refusing to print gay wedding invitations at his printing firm. He didn’t want to discuss the pending equality tribunal case but has told supporters he won’t back down.There have been moments of jaw-dropping daftness during the debate – a Galway politician tweeted that gay marriage could lead to Mother’s Day being banned – but also genuine fear. In Drogheda, County Louth, Mike O’Leary is risking a hefty fine after refusing to print gay wedding invitations at his printing firm. He didn’t want to discuss the pending equality tribunal case but has told supporters he won’t back down.
“I’m against gay marriage because Jesus Christ was against it,” said Therese Monaghan, a retired nurse living in Drogheda. “I don’t think Ireland will go to hell, no, but I’m disappointed. It’s not a good day at all. I think Mr O’Leary will find a lot of people backing him.”“I’m against gay marriage because Jesus Christ was against it,” said Therese Monaghan, a retired nurse living in Drogheda. “I don’t think Ireland will go to hell, no, but I’m disappointed. It’s not a good day at all. I think Mr O’Leary will find a lot of people backing him.”
But Saturday night was for noisy celebrations. “It’s unbelievable. It looks like Ireland might have just become a great little country to be gay in,” said Frawley’s partner, Ger McEvilly.But Saturday night was for noisy celebrations. “It’s unbelievable. It looks like Ireland might have just become a great little country to be gay in,” said Frawley’s partner, Ger McEvilly.
As the party went on, there was a reminder of how far Ireland has come. Flowers had been left on a green-painted park bench in east Dublin: amid the joy, it was a reminder that Declan Flynn died here.As the party went on, there was a reminder of how far Ireland has come. Flowers had been left on a green-painted park bench in east Dublin: amid the joy, it was a reminder that Declan Flynn died here.