A Big Win for Gays and Lesbians in Ireland?

If passed, it would make Ireland the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote.

According to state broadcaster RTE, voter turnout was above 60% in some parts of the country, noticeably higher than seen in other referendums.

The Irish Times newspaper said turnout was as high as 65%, raising the hopes of "yes" campaigners that high engagement by young voters and those in urban areas could carry the result their way.

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 RTE reported that early indications were that the "yes" vote would win out.

Labour lawmaker Kevin Humphreys, Ireland's Minister of State for Employment, Community and Social Support, tweeted that vote tallies in Dublin on a "historic day" showed the "yes" vote was "big and fat."

'Yes' vote would permit civil marriage 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.

Courtesy: CNN