Love has prevailed, as Ireland became the first country in the word to legalize Marriage Equality through a popular vote and has officially made love the law!
It is an historic day for the Emerald Isle of Ireland, as the Referendum results were tallied with a resounding yes to the equal marriage amendment to the constitution, which has made marriage gender neutral and allows same-sex couples to get married.
Why did it have to be voted on? Let me explain.
In Ireland, the constitution stated that a man and woman could get married. By voting yes in this referendum, the country has democratically enshrined marriage equality into the fabric of the country’s society.
Pretty cool, right?
The referendum had one of the highest turnouts in Irish History, with a whopping 54% of the country voting, and people travelling across the globe to ensure that their vote counted. Over 1 million people voted yes, with 62.1% voting in favour–Ireland didn’t just say yes, it said Eff yeah!
Because they believe that love matters.
BREAKING: Official results: Ireland gives resounding 62.1 percent ‘yes’ to gay marriage in referendum.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2015
The #HometoVote hashtag, which took over twitter on May 22nd, was inspiring. It was like something from an epic tale, as the Irish rushed home to help save the day, when people thought they would be fighting tooth and nail for a win.
Courtesy of tumblrSee?
Apart from Jim Carrey, George Takei and Stephen Fry—who were mentioned in our #HometoVote post—celebrities like Zach Braff have also shown their support.
Ireland, if this is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. pic.twitter.com/DiB9hyXQbU — Zach Braff (@zachbraff) May 22, 2015
There was a cry of support from across the globe, and a resounding sense of pride in our little country for the historic victory for equality.
And I could not be prouder to call myself an Irish citizen, and that anyone can find the love of their life and marry them, and know that it matters–because love does matter.
In fact, this isn’t the first time Irish people have stood up in the face of love, as at the National University of Ireland in Galway last year, a sit in protest took place against bigotry and hatred, and in favour of love and equality. And Panti Bliss, Ireland’s most famous and fabulous Drag Queen had an incredible speech, a noble call, at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, asking people to fight for love and against hatred.
Panti has returned today, saying it is a day that two years ago she thought would be impossible, but has become a reality today. She says “It is like the LGBT community asked the whole country to marry them, and they said yes.”
And there have been plenty of proposals around the country today, as people are embracing love, life, happiness and the great beyond.
It is a yes to love, and one that shows just how far this country has come. A resounding yes can be heard across the country, and celebrations are in full swing—coupled with Eurovision parties, for good measure.
Because, to paraphrase Oprah: “You get a marriage! You get a marriage, you get a marriage! EVERYONE GETS A MARRIAGE!”
You stay classy, Ireland.
Popwrappers, have you been keeping up to date with the marriage equality referendum? And what have been the highlights from social media on the news? Let us know.
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