at the vanguard of
アイルランドで２２日、同性婚を合法とする憲法修正案の賛否を問う国民投票が行われ，その開票の結果、賛成が多数により合法化が決まりました。さてここのat the vanguard ofとはどのような意味でしょうか。トヨタのSUVにそのようなクルマがあったようにも記憶していますが，Minus fourさん，どうぞ。（KOyamamoto）
Ireland Becomes First Country to Legalize Gay Marriage by Popular Vote
Ireland has become the first nation to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote, sweeping aside the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church in a resounding victory Saturday for the gay rights movement and placing the country at the vanguard of social change.
With ballots from 34 out of the 43 voting areas counted, the vote was almost two to one in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. All but one of the districts that were counted voted yes, and it appeared to be statistically impossible for opposition votes to overcome the ayes.
Turnout was large — more than 60 percent of the 3.2 million people eligible to vote cast ballots. Government officials, advocates and even those who had argued against the measure said that the outcome was a resounding endorsement of the constitutional amendment.
