An Irish poll released last week shows
widespread support for the relationships of gay and lesbian couples.
The poll, conducted for the Sunday
Times, found 86 percent of Irish people approved of gay
relationships, while 75 percent approve of allowing gay couples to
adopt.
A referendum on whether to allow gay
couples to marry in Ireland is scheduled to to take place sometime in
the first four months of next year. Currently, a gay couple can enter
a civil partnership.
Kieran Rose, chair of the Gay and
Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), said the poll shows Ireland is ready
for marriage equality.
“This is another welcome
demonstration of the transformation in attitudes to lesbian and gay
people and of the generosity of the Irish voters in their willingness
to extend equal status and dignity to lesbian and gay people and
lesbian and gay headed families,” Rose
said in a statement.
“It is clear from this poll and other
recent polls, public opinion firmly accepts that lesbian and gay
people and families headed by lesbian and gay couples should be
afforded the same respect, legal status and protections that are
available to the rest of society.”
“The widespread public support for
almost 1,500 Civil Partnerships that have already been celebrated all
across Ireland and the growing political and public support shows
that Ireland is ready for the next step in the 20 year journey to
civil marriage and full Constitutional equality for lesbian and gay
people and families,” she added.
(Related: Armagayddon:
Straight couple fears marriage equality in PSA from Ireland.)