LGBT history in Ireland

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The history of

Ireland and Dublin, in particular, have always been regarded as the home of some of the greatest gay and lesbian writers in the English speaking world, some of whom are Oscar Wilde, Eva Selina Gore-Booth, Elizabeth Bowen, Kate O'Brien, Ladies of Llangollen, Somerville and Ross and Mary Dorcey

Legal situation

Prior to formal

In the 1970s, the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform was led by David Norris, who campaigned for then-current criminalization of homosexuality (namely those in force from 1861 and 1885) to be dismantled. In 1980, the case was taken before the Supreme Court of Ireland; losing the case, Norris took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in 1988 against the Irish government. The laws were finally reformed in 1993^[6] by then-Minister for Justice Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

With the emergence of the Celtic Tiger economy from 1995 onwards, Ireland underwent a massive transformation both economically and socially. The individual wealth of the average Irish citizen quadrupled in the space of 15 years along with EU membership helped to liberalise and make this once conservative and religious society into one that is more open and pro-gay rights with a raft of pro-gay legislation.^{[citation needed]} 73% of the Irish population support full gay marriage being extended to same-sex couples while 53% support the idea of same-sex adoption.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, civil partnership legislation was passed by the Dáil and Seanad and was enacted into law. Also, in 2011, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons, both of the Labour Party, became the first openly gay TDs to be elected to the Dail, and Katherine Zappone became the first openly lesbian senator.

In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through a referendum, with yes winning by over 62% of the vote. In a total over two million adults voted, and it was found that many younger adults participated in this vote to bring Ireland into a new era.

In 2017, Leo Varadkar was elected Taoiseach (Prime Minister), making him the youngest and first openly gay leader of Ireland. ^[7]

See also

• LGBT history
• Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform
• Oscar Wilde

References