Ireland becomes first nation to legalize same-sex marriage

Same-sex couples will soon be able to walk down the aisle in the Emerald Isle.

Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote on Saturday -- and what a popular vote "yes" was in the landmark referendum that will change the nation's constitution.

With votes tallied from nearly all of Ireland's 43 parliamentary constituencies, the measure will sail through with more than 60% of voters approving, according to official results.

Roscommon-South Leitrim, a rural section in the middle of the country, was the lone constituency not to approve the measure.

More than 1.8 million Irish voters participated in the election, about 60% percent of the total electorate in the majority Catholic nation.

There was speculation that opposition to the measure might have been understated in the run-up to the poll because, amid the heated debate, people have been shy of saying they plan to vote "no."

But once the votes began to be tallied, the result never appeared to be in doubt. Leading figures for the "no" campaign conceded defeat several hours before public service broadcaster RTE made it official

Another prominent opponent of same-sex marriage, the group Mothers and Fathers Matter, also congratulated the "yes" campaign on a win, saying: "This is their day, and they should enjoy it."

The group's statement said it had stepped up on behalf of a large proportion of the population whose voice was not being represented by Ireland's politicians, state institutions or the media.

"We are proud to have fought on behalf of those voices when nobody else would," it said.

"Though at times this campaign was unpleasant for people on all sides, nobody who involves themselves in a campaign does so with anything but the good of their country at heart. There is no better way to resolve difference than the way we are using today."

Ireland's political parties all backed the "yes" campaign.

Deputy Prime Minister (or Tanaiste) Joan Burton said the anticipated "yes" vote was Ireland's "rainbow moment."

While the final result is yet to be declared, she said, the scale of the "yes" vote was a "powerful message" to send to the world.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said it would be "a huge day for equality" when the result is confirmed.

Civil marriage now permitted for gay, lesbian couples

As in many other countries around the world, the issue is a polarizing one. And the referendum is being seen as a test of whether in Ireland, a majority Catholic nation, more liberal thinking can trump conservative, traditional leanings.

Opinion polls before the vote suggested that the "yes" vote was on track to come out on top, but that the gap was narrowing.

If the referendum is passed, a change to the constitution will give gay and lesbian couples the right to civil marriage, but not to be wed in a church.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny said this week that the country could "create history" and that a "yes" vote would "obliterate" prejudice along with irrational fears of difference.

Varadkar, who earlier this year announced he is gay, also told RTE that Ireland today is "a beacon, a light to the rest of the world for tolerance and equality."

And Michael Barron, founding director of activist group BeLonGTo, said: "We've changed forever what it means to grow up LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) in Ireland. The Irish people, via the ballot box, have today given each and every gay child and young person in Ireland -- and across the world -- a strong and powerful message that they are loved, they are cared for, and don't need to change who they are."

Only 22 years have passed since Ireland decriminalized homosexuality.

Opposition to the constitutional change was largely organized by Catholic groups that focused on a message of protecting the traditional family.

The referendum has been a social media sensation, with many quick to welcome the win for the "yes" campaign.

Among them was Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who tweeted, "Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful."