Most Irish Favor Gay Marriage

Months after Ireland enacted a civil partnership bill recognizing the rights of same-sex couples, six in 10 Irish people say they believe the country should legalize full marriage equality.

According to an Irish Independent/Millward Brown Lansdowne survey, three quarters of those aged 18-24 want to legalize marriage equality, while those older than 65 were the most opposed (54%).

Only 27% of all Irish voters surveyed are opposed to allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, and 12% were undecided on the issue.

President Mary McAleese signed the civil partnership bill into law in July, despite opposition from Catholic bishops. The law went into effect in January and gives same-sex couples most of the same rights as married heterosexual couples.