Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
JUST UNDER 400 same-sex couples have got married in the last six months since legislation came into effect – an average of nearly 16 weddings a week.
New figures from the Department of Social Protection provided to TheJournal.ie show 397 couples registered their marriage between 16 November last year – when the new legislation came into effect – and 11 May.
This weekend marks the one year anniversary of the same-sex marriage referendum, which saw 62% of voters say ‘Yes’ to marriage equality.
Dublin accounted for just over half of all marriages, with 208 registered in the capital.
There were 38 marriages registered in Cork and 24 registered in Limerick since the Marriage Act 2015 was signed into law last year.
Wicklow had 17 same-sex marriages registered, followed by Galway (14), Kildare (11) and Wexford (10).
Clare was the only county in the Republic of Ireland that had no same-sex marriages registered. Carlow, Leitrim and Monaghan all had just one marriage registered.
Moninne Griffith, executive director of BeLongG To youth services for the LGBT community said she was delighted for the “happy couples who have benefited from this so far this year and their families and friends”.
“History was made when the Irish people said yes to marriage equality a year ago,” she said. “But there is more work to do to achieve the Ireland we voted for last May.”
Young people are still experiencing bullying, isolation and mental health issues, she added.
We know from the young people we work with everyday, that their daily lives are broadly unaffected by the referendum…We need to keep saying YES to those young people who need support services and make sure those services are well funded.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s still a bit odd seeing my boyfriend and I show up in news articles!
We canvassed last year and have enjoyed the last year in a more equal Ireland!
Not ready to commit yet then Luke??
Haha not at the moment Ian, but I’m only 25, plenty of time to decide. The main thing is now I actually have the choice!
Indeed
Regardless of the government we have at any one time, it’s the people whom really make this the greatest country to grow up and be happy in.
Fred, you’re so right.
I’ve always loved this description of the Irish by historian Carl Wittke…
“The so-called Irish temperament is a mixture of flaming ego, hot temper, stubbornness, great personal charm and warmth, and a wit that shines through adversity. An irrepressible buoyancy, a vivacious spirit, a kindliness and tolerance for the common frailties of man and a feeling that ‘it is time enough to bid the devil good morning when you meet him.”
We’re a passionate bunch.
What a day it was. I was on the door to door canvassing for the yes campaign. I’ll never forget it. It was such a liberating experience. Then watching the vote count come in with friends. It’s not often anyone gets to be part of true justice been done.
It was quite something. I was in Dublin in the evening when the official announcement was made. You could hear the cheering from Dublin Castle.
Has the sky fallen yet?
What a joyful day that was. Every marriage a kick in the teeth to every sour, hateful homophobe in the country. And this is just the beginning. We’re on the road to social equity. The whinging from those who opose this change is music to my ears…
Give it a rest with the phobe nonsense. There’s a bloody phobe for everything!! Just because a person is against same sex marriage that doesn’t make them anti-gay.
And I say this as a person who voted yes and was absolutely delighted that the majority of Irish folk voted yes.
The gays nearly blew the thing for themselves with the whole homophobe thing, it turned a lot of people off, and I know a lot of people who voted no or didn`t vote as a result, otherwise it would have been an 80% yes vote, rather than 58% as it turned out. They effectively shot themselves in the foot, and the vote could well have been lost.
*62% voted yes.
And I don’t think calling out homophobia when we saw it hurt our campaign as much as you’d like to think.
“Just because a person is against same-sex marriage, that doesn’t make them anti-gay.”
Opposing equal rights under the law for LGBTQIA people doesn’t make someone anti-gay?Homophobes will reach to the moon and back to pretend they’re not homophobes. Either just be honest and admit you’re a bigot, or stop doing bigoted things, like opposing social equality for all.
Seriously, bigots are so sensitive and desperate to play the victim. “How dare you call me a homophobe for wanting to treat a group of people as second-class citizens based on nothing but their sexual orientation!? I’m gonna go sue RTÉ!”
“Just because a person is against same sex marriage that doesn’t make them anti-gay.”
Yes it does.
@ Patrick
“The gays nearly blew the thing for themselves with the whole homophobe thing.”
The no sides campaign that insulted every single parent, every father every, married couple that can not, or chose not to have a family and every child that has been raised by same sex parents not to mention gay people themselves more than made up for any homophobic person not voting yes because they don’t like been called what they are. That been homophobic.
Sorry whereisspace, to be more accurate, being against SSM makes you against equal rights for LGBTI people. Im glad we cleared that up…wouldn’t want you to think i was being judgmental.
It’s the misuse of phobic that I am pointing out. I’m all for gay marriage, it’s about time we legalised it. But the use of homophobic to me means that someone is against gay people in general.
Language evolves and everyone and their granny knows that the term “homophobic” doesn’t mean a literal fear of gay people, as the derailing literalists would have you harp on and on and on about. It covers the whole range of anti-gay action and sentiment.
OPPOSING SOMEONE’S EQUAL RIGHTS MEANS YOU OPPOSE THEM.
I’m shouting now because you seem to be wilfully ignoring the painfully frigging obvious. You’re the type of person who would’ve defended opposition to interracial marriage during Jim Crow with some hand-wringing “Now now there folks. You can’t go calling them racist, because that’s rude. And being rude is infinitely worse than actively wanting to discriminate against people.”
Odd that the State has statistic on “same-sex marriage” because the whole point was to end the distinction between the categories of legal relationship. I look forward to the day when they can’t provide that data because it makes as much sense as having official statistics on ‘Black people marriages’: “Sorry, we don’t have that data. It’s just ‘marriage’ as far as we’re concerned”.
The point was to enable equal access to marriage. The state still needs to track this sort of thing for tax reasons if nothing else.
That tracking would justify knowing about the ‘marriage’ bit, but not the sex of the people in the marriage.
OK. So what is your theory? Do you really think the state isn’t keeping a close eye on the first twelve months since marriage equality?
@Tomboktu – once the 8th is repealed ye will need another cause de celebre – so you should bring it up at the next meeting – no wait you have that ridiculous primary school kids changing their gender up next.. put it on the back burner so.
It’s good to know the numbers to show those Iona eedjits nothing bad has happened after all their heinous lies and ill informed ‘arguments,
Can’t wait for the divorce statistics for same sex marriages to start coming out (no pun). That will produce some interesting comparisons.
Lesbian divorce in particular, given that women initiate most divorces , 2 wimmins isnt looking good, also how will the judge decide who to screw over when there isnt a man to pick on ….
You should check out the domestic violence statistics for lgbt relationships, far higher than straight people, lesbians worse than gay men, bi sexuals get it from both sides.
Not condoning any form of domestic violence or making any excuses for it. It is however ironic homophobes highlighting domestic violence in same-sex relationship while at the same time ignoring the stresses that they impose on same-sex couples and ignore the impact that such stress may have on such couples.
Typical SWJ trying to name call instead of addressing the biggest threat to lgbt members safety, which is not homaphobia but domestic violence and then trying to justify domestic violence by blaming homophobia.
Those domestic violence statistics definitely have to be checked out – very very carefully – to check the validity of the research they come from. Statistics don’t lie – but people lie using statistics.
@james , I voted yes last year (just saying) but citation needed? , if there are genuine issues for these groups then honest debate is preferable not creating excuses to take away agency and trying to blame society.
Gaucho: Isn’t the acronym “SJW” as in “Social Justice Warrior?
Well done, blue peter badge on the way, but they are a special kind of snowflake
“Typical SWJ…” and at that point every normal person stopped reading Gaucho Doyle’s comments.
no problem! Just had to correct you there!
Alan, statistically speaking, less than 3% of people are homosexual, that makes it abnormal to be homosexual. Studies of hundreds of identical twins also proves that homosexuals are not born that way and that it is either environment or a lifestyle choice.
Gaucho: Given your terrible luck with acronyms, do you have any statistics to back that 3% figure up?
Gavin seen as you technology disadvantaged, here you go
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Percentage+of+population+gay+ireland
Gaucho: Yep! I was right. You were one letter off in your acronym and you’re one number off in your 3% quoted above. According to the first article it says 4% or as high as 10% because a lot of people didn’t answer the question regarding sexual preference!
Make sure you check your facts and figures BEFORE you press “Submit”!!
James who have exceeded your BS level even for you that the most bazaar statement you have ever made , in fact you are starting to sounds like some type of deluded LGBT fascist. You do that community and its hard won rights a massive disservice, you need to shut up
Gavin the margin of error was 1.3 percent so it could be as low as 2.7 percent of the population who are homosexual which is more in line with major studies in the US, Australia and the UK.
Why on earth does it matter what percentage of the population are gay? The fact of the matter is they are not treated equally, when it comes to marriage at least, like the rest of us. They are so in spite of the bizarre claims of bigots like yourself. You lost, get over it.
@ Gauscho Dave and Eddie
Exactly what part of “Not condoning any form of domestic violence or making any excuses for it” do you not understand?
I am not blaming nor have i suggested that homophobia is the reason for domestic violence in gay relationships. I merely stated that it can be a contributing factor as a result of the stress imposed on gay people through homophobia. Like it or not but stress can and often those contribute to and trigger domestic violence in relationships whether they be gay or straight. That is not an excuse it I am simply stating a fact. How quich you are to twist my words to justify homophobia. It would appear that the homophobes still think they are the victims of homophobia.
Nothing as vicious or entertaining as a lesbian cat fight in the george, LOL!
@ Gaucho
” statistically speaking, less than 3% of people are homosexual, that makes it abnormal to be homosexual.
No it does not. There is a difference between what is not common and what is abnormal. For something to be Classified as abnormal it requires personal distress. Homosexuality in itself does not cause personal distress. However homophobia does cause personal stress to bought the victim and the homophobe. Science has proven that homophobes have unacknowledged latent sexual desire.
http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/102/4/815/
That would indicate that it is homophobia that is abnormal and not homosexuality.
Are gingers abnormal? Should we stop them marrying each other?
@ Gaucho
“Studies of hundreds of identical twins also proves that homosexuals are not born that way and that it is either environment or a lifestyle choice.” LOL
Can you provide a link to any of these studies? I thought not. No such credible studies exist.
Try again.
I watched the video you provide in that link. Isn’t it a crying shame how the church had groomed the people to the extent where they mistakenly abandoned their God in their abandonment of their faith and were not able to recognise the difference between two. The grooming that the church had done left them feeling guilty about the love in their lives and it also imposed guilt upon them that they felt for abandoning what they thought was a representation of God. And what is even more shameful is when they did return to their faith they have done so in the false belief that their faith is a representation of God. The peace that they have found, they mistakenly credit it to having left the so called “sin of homosexuality” when in reality they have succumbed to to this imposed guilt and feel relief now that they see themselves as having repented. Another form of religious abuse is uncovered.
They knew as much as you do James, stop with the dishonesty.
Gaucho suspiciously absent after spouting off numerous “studies” as fact that he was then utterly incapable of providing evidence of. But you’re gonna have a go at the guy who’s actually using relevant, sourced fact to counteract that ridiculous under-educated stance of Gaucho? Why?
I’m genuinely curious…because the people spouting nonsense and falsehoods on this article’s comment section are on the other side. So why are you focussing on him, but not calling out the magnificently nonsensical rants from Gaucho? That’s fine…I know the answer. Birds of a feather and all that.
@ din. No din. I was lucky enough to see beyond the power of brainwashing. Now I live the life god intended and not the one the catholic church would have me live. And guess what. I didn’t need to succumb to the guilt imposed upon me from my time spent in the catholic cult to find peace with god.
True to oneself be.
Plural verbs appear to be a dying breed. In fact there *have* been around 16 …
Why anyone gay or straight would want to get married in the first place I don’t know. As a man there’s no benefit what so ever in signing a legal contract with a woman and the state NONE.
Makes a huge difference when kids are involved. You are at a disadvantage already but as an unmarried father? I pity any poor sap in that position
I think you’ll find most won’t stick around forever waiting for you to marry them…
@Welshhibby
No benefits, except living longer.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/marriage-and-mens-health
Living longer while being nagged to death and a constant “honey do list” !
Ah here, that goes both ways.
I never pick up my socks.
Delighted for people who can avail of SSM. But why do some of the proponents of SSM still demonise opponents as homophobes etc.?Let’s be generous, move on and fight for equality in housing and health.
It’s hard to let go of being labelled paedophiles so readily.
Especially when organisations like Iona are still peddling hate and lies.
Equality in education is a big one. At least you won’t be denied a place in your local hospital because of your religion or lack of.
Reg read the Ionas new paper on that. Were they allowed i am sure they would.
get your olive oil and kiddie pool out. David and his friends are on there way.
Because opposing the social equality of all people regardless of sexual orientation is pretty much the textbook definition of a homophobe? You’re literally asking people to not call homophobes homophobes. This respectability politics nonsense is ridiculous and nauseating, because you’ll only ever apply it to the oppressed group. Iona allowed to call all gay people child abusers, and mentally ill, and that they were gonna steal your babies on national media, but call them homophobes and it’s a law suit.
You’re delusional. A homophobe’s a homophobe, of course, of course.
“There HAS been around 16 same-sex marriages a week since it was legalised”.
Is that your level of education?
Can’t see them lasting to be honest.
Same sex marriage is just a fad.
what you basing that on?
He’s basing it on nothing but his own imagination.
…yeah like trolling. Cop on Cal. It never fails to amuse me how bigots continue to confirm their ignorance by making such dumb comments. No respect for yourself never mind anyone else.
He’s basing that on his homophobic prejudiced.
@ Cal
“Can’t see them lasting to be honest.
Same sex marriage is just a fad.”
It lasted for millions of years before the church started persecuting gay people about 1600 years ago when they rewritten the bible and falsely translated it to claim that god disapproves of same sex committed romantic loving relationships. As long as the masses remain educated in how to think and not what to think it is highly unlikely it will be just a fad .
So what……?
So one of the arguments against it was that no one would avail of it. One year one it appears that that was incorrect. That’s worthy of comment.
Interesting to note that Offaly had twice as many same-sex marriages as Laois, although the latter has a slightly bigger population. What would be an even more interesting statistic is how many of the usual-suspect homophobic loons who predicted the end of the world as we know it ended up in bouncy rooms and whether they have since been stabilised and released. LOL
thats great when MB boy comes back from Egypt he can marry the ceo of amnesty Ireland.
jezz old news its done , much be a slow day, this ones always a banker, by the way i voted YES, but lets move on folks. click bait central
Two in Roscommon? I thought they voted ‘No’. ;-)
Still not real marriages, no matter how many there are.
Alan, your comment is at least a year out of date, maybe it’s time you excepted that homosexuals have equality and stop trying to play the victim card on their behalf.
Inferior Power – please take your head out of that echo chamber, it embarrassing.
What happened to Clare ? Have we been kicked out of the republic because we didn’t have any same sex marriages…?
“What happened to Clare ?”
Nobody really knows. It has been like that since we got here.
Clare married Lucy last month…..great day out it was too.
Oh good! Clare let her guard down, finally. She was always a bit of a prude.
Marriage and sememes, that is what it is now?
darlings gay is so 80s
Shocking!!!
i am so glad to tell everyone how my horrible situation changed within few days after i was introduced to jaja oracle by using her powerful love spell. i was able to get back my husband around march with the help of mama jaja . My husband left me and my 3 yrs old daughter for another woman for two good years and six months .Although I was unable to move on with my life because of the love i have for him and our only daughter. One faithful day, i saw a testimony on the internet on how mama jaja help someone with love spell. But i never believed till i encouraged myself to try it out. I did and i contacted her through her contact and she told me what i needed to do which i reluctantly did and to my amazement after two days i received a call from my husband asking for forgiveness to com back home, it was all like a dream to me, i am so happy now as we are back together again thanks to mama jaja and i will advice anyone in need of help to contact her on
Masha Gessen revealed that this lobby is interested not so much in getting ‘gay marriage’ but rather in destroying what marriage is: https://youtu.be/n9M0xcs2Vw4
have your say