Ireland Says Yes To Same-Sex Marriage In Historic Vote
The Republic of Ireland has voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a historic referendum.
The result makes Ireland the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
The Republic of Ireland has voted to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum, making it the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
A total of 1,201,607 people (62.1%) voted Yes and 734,300 (37.9%) voted No.
Irelands Minister for Health Leo Varadkar, who earlier this year came out as the country’s first openly gay minister, said the campaign was a “social revolution”.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar says the same-sex marriage referendum campaign was a ‘social revolution’ https://t.co/dEKYosLdBx
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2015
Irish Senator David Norris, who successfully fought for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland through the European courts in the 1980′s and has consistently led the way on gay rights issues in Ireland has said Ireland is a poster for the rest of the world.
"Ireland is a poster for the rest of the world" – Senator David Norris enjoying the crowd at Dublin Castle #MarRef pic.twitter.com/MDYixrUxan
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2015
Irish personality Rory O’Neill, aka Panti, said: “It’s an incredible day that even two years we could not have even dared to imagine.” He said the whole country came together and decided that “we are full and equal citizens”.
'We are full and equal citizens' – Panti Bliss #MarRef pic.twitter.com/cPsKq26sdJ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2015
Among the many celebrities around the world tweeting their delight at the result, Stephen Fry took to his twitter to say he was “So so happy. Oscar smiles in his grave,” referencing Oscar Wilde.
Here at #HayFestival – almost no signal but news in that Ireland’s Yes Campaign has carried the day. So so happy. Oscar smiles in his grave.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) May 23, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS to the Republic on saying yes to same-gender marriage! Now what about Northern Ireland?
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) May 23, 2015
So happy Ireland have passed the law to get married there. Still genuinely shocks me thou, that this is only just happening!!
— SAM SMITH (@samsmithworld) May 23, 2015
Great to see the people of Ireland voting to live in a country where everybody is treated equally #MarRef #YesEquality
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) May 23, 2015
Irelands Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the result is “a great message to send out to the world” and revealed that legislation will be brought in over the coming months to make same-sex marriage a reality.
What do you think of the news that Ireland has voted to legalise same-sex marriage? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @rukkle.
