"All that has just been achieved in Ireland is the right to use the word "marriage" provided the ceremony is not in a church."

While not forced to do so, actually, while they are scarce, there are some that are open to perform same sex marriages. I agee with the poster, the freedom of choice is refreshing-though I suspect fewer gays (than some project) wilo sekect to be officially married, since so many alternativevoptions are open and increasingly accepted, in many progressive societies.