Ireland braces for Friday's vote on same-sex marriage

DUBLIN — A day before this staunchly Catholic country votes Friday on a national referendum on same-sex marriage, "Yes" campaign signs are prevalent throughout this city.

From the cluster of boutiques and cafes in the central shopping district around Grafton Street to the bars that line the River Liffey, Dublin is awash with colorful flags, banners and murals celebrating a cause that backers argue is about equality and detractors say would redefine a family.

If the measure passes, it would be a historic day for a nation that has been slow to liberalize social issues ranging from contraception to divorce to decriminalizing homosexuality. Abortion is illegal.

Polls have been projecting an easy win for the referendum that would allow same-sex marriage, though it has gotten closer in recent weeks.

"Everyone has been misled about this," Tom McGuire said Thursday while campaigning for the "No" camp in central Dublin. He said there are clear constitutional, religious and societal reasons why gay marriage should not be allowed.

"The government, the media, celebrities, they are all on the 'Yes' side," he said. 'Yes, Yes, Yes — for months now."

Clive Cummins, a Dubliner who works in the restaurant business, pointed out that Dublin is not necessarily representative of all of Ireland, and non-urban voters often hold more traditional views.

"There is a lot of fear that more conservatives and Catholic-minded people will vote (than anticipated)," Cummins said. "We are a progressive country, but I guess we'll see what happens."

At the Pantibar, one of three major bars that cater to Dublin's gay community, manager Shane Harte said the vote is a significant cultural moment for Ireland because it will test how people see one another.

"If we get the 'Yes,' we'll know we got the OK from neighbors and everybody else around us, and that's what make this so important. And why, also, it will be so devastating if it's a 'No' — the gay community would feel (lost)," he said.

If Ireland votes to alter its constitution, it will be the first country to adopt same-sex marriage as a result of a public vote.

Slovenia held a national referendum in 2012 on the issue, but voters rejected it. All 18 countries that now permit same-sex marriage nationwide adopted it through legislation or court rulings.

As a steady stream of government ministers warned that the 'No" side is growing and perhaps stronger than initially predicted, Prime Minister Enda Kenny urged voters to support the measure and "create history."

Vote "a joyful 'Yes' to inclusion, 'Yes' to rights, 'Yes' to love, 'Yes' to equality and 'Yes' to equal marriage," Kenny said.