The people of Ireland voted a resounding “yes” Friday in the world’s first national voter referendum on same-sex marriage.
The referendum passed by a large margin — winning as much as 72 percent of the vote in Dublin, according to early counts Saturday.
The Ireland Constitution will now be amended to say that two people can marry, “without distinction as to their sex.” Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Ireland’s minister of state for equality, told NPR the wording is especially meaningful, because it uses the same phrase that extended voting rights to women in Ireland.
The broad approval for same-sex marriage reflects a sea change in Irish culture. Ireland — where more than 70 percent of the population identifies as Roman Catholic — only decriminalized homosexual behavior 22 years ago.
'We are full and equal citizens' – Panti Bliss #MarRef pic.twitter.com/cPsKq26sdJ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2015
The move, though, is representative of a global evolution on the subject of gay rights. The country joins 18 other nations that have ended the exclusion of same-sex marriage. Ireland, though, was the first to do so through a voter referendum. Other countries have used legislative or court actions.
In the United States, same-sex marriage is recognized by the federal government, but it is not legal across all states. Attempts to ban same-sex marriage have been met with legal challenges.
In California, for instance, a 2008 referendum banning same sex marriage, Proposition 8, passed with voters. The ban was later ruled unconstitutional.
Supporters of the Irish referendum were giddy Saturday afternoon as results came in.
Irish Senator Katherine Zappone took the opportunity to propose to her wife (the two are already married) on air Saturday.
The results were celebrated around the world, with many people joining in on Twitter to congratulate the people of Ireland, including Scottish author J.K. Rowling.
Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015
“May the next generation never go through what some of my friends went through. A victory for love and for human rights!” Rowling added.
Honoured to be here on this fantastic day in #DublinCastle with @SenatorKZappone David Norris #MarRef pic.twitter.com/H20qKI9xQM
— Frances Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldFrncs) May 23, 2015
Even “God” joined in with a rainbow over Dublin on Saturday.
Dublin, if this doesn't tell you My opinion nothing will. #MarRef pic.twitter.com/3PzKFiqF3N
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) May 23, 2015