Gay time for Irish gays

Ireland’s resounding ‘yes’ vote in favour of legalising same-sex marriage is historic. Gay marriage is legal in 20 countries now but Ireland is the first to seek public endorsement through a referendum before making it a part of its constitution. Of the 2 million who voted in the referendum, 62 per cent endorsed amending the constitution to legalise gay marriage. The ‘yes’ vote cut across genders, generations, geography and class. Most parties across the political spectrum too backed the ‘yes’ vote. Once the required constitutional amendment is done, marriage between two people of the same sex will enjoy the same status under the Irish Constitution as a marriage between a man and a woman. A married gay couple will be recognised as a family and entitled to protection extended by the constitution to all families. This is a major victory for inclusivity of sexual minorities and the principle of equality that the Irish Constitution guarantees to citizens.

The road to legalising same sex marriage in Ireland has not been easy. Ireland is a Catholic country where the church is very influential. In fact, while women enjoy the right to abortion in most countries, abortion is illegal in Ireland. Ireland’s gay rights movement faced enormous opposition from the Catholic Church. Its victories over the past two decades – the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, outlawing of discrimination based on sexual orientation, the ban on incitement to hatred based on sexual orientation, the legalising of civil partnerships and now of same sex marriage – are the outcome of the persistence of the gay rights movement and the support it received from fair-minded straight people. To the credit of those who campaigned against legalising gay marriage, they largely stayed clear of demonising homosexuals.

It is unfortunate that while several countries are racing forward in extending rights to sexual minorities, in over 70 countries there are laws explicitly criminalising homosexuality. In some of these countries, gays not only face discrimination but the prejudice they are subjected to borders on persecution. Thousands of homosexuals in these countries live in terror of prosecution. Some even commit suicide under pressure from bullies, family, society and laws. Indian society, which in the past was inclusive in its approach to sexual minorities stands alongside these homophobic countries today. Having de-criminalised homosexuality in 2009, it re-criminalised it in 2013. India and other countries must follow Ireland’s example in extending homosexuality legality and homosexuals a normal life. A humane approach that accords gays equal rights must be adopted.