Historic referendum results in approval for same-sex marriage
For the first time in legal history, a nation has chosen to legalize gay marriage based solely on the people’s popular vote. On Saturday, May 23, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage via a popular vote referendum.
Of the 4.59 million people living in Ireland, an overwhelming 1,201,607 people voted in favour of passing the landmark referendum, while 734,300 voted against it. According to elections official Riona Ni Fhlanghaile, who spoke to CNN, overall voter turnout in the largely Catholic nation exceeded 60 per cent. The final ballots revealed that 62 per cent of the voting body was in support of passing same-sex marriage laws. Of Ireland 43 parliamentary constituencies, only one failed to pass the vote.
The history of homosexuality in Ireland is fraught with inequity and injustice. It was only until quite recently—1993 to be precise—that the Irish legal system could still successfully persecute those convicted of the crime of same-sex sexual activity. Thanks to the combined efforts of Senator David Norris, and former Irish Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, the LGBT movement was able to escape the bonds of an antiquated legal structure and enter an accepting modern age.
In contrast to the early efforts of LGBT supporters, the 2015 referendum enjoyed great support from Ireland’s top elected political officials.
“In Ireland, we’re known as a nation of storytellers,” said Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton, in a quote for CNN. “And today, the people have told quite some story. This is a magical, moving moment.”
While homosexual couples can now be married under Irish law, religious institutions are still under no obligation to allow the marriage of two people of the same sex. Regardless of the support of religious institutions, however, Irish same-sex couples can finally enjoy the same legal entitlements that heterosexual couples have always had.
In the wake of the historic referendum, Northern Ireland—a nation that is sovereign from the Republic of Ireland—is facing pressure from its citizens to pass a similar referendum. Northern Ireland is currently the only western European nation that still places a ban on same-sex marriage.
As a result of Northern Ireland’s lack of same-sex laws, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), in addition to Amnesty International and The Rainbow Project—a gay rights group—will hold a rally on June 13, in support of equal marriage laws.
“In 1998, Northern Ireland became one of the most advanced places on Earth for human rights,” said a spokesman for the ICTU, in an interview with The Guardian. “Section 75 of the Good Friday agreement dealt with human rights and enshrined the rights of every citizen to be treated equally in Northern Ireland.”
“Since then, Northern Ireland has slipped back in terms of the human rights agenda, and is now isolated in the UK as the only place where a gay couple cannot get married. The rally will be held in solidarity with the gay community.”
Though Ireland has passed marriage equality laws, it is still a nation that is largely dominated by its Catholic leaders. The church is present in many levels of education, and abortion is still illegal—except in circumstances that put the mother at risk.
In spite of the steps still that the country must still take, Ireland undoubtedly looks towards a brighter, and more equal, future.
“Today, Ireland made history,” said Prime Minister Enda Kenny, at a news conference on May 23. “This decision makes every citizen equal, and I believe it will strengthen the institution of marriage.”
Photo by Benson Kua Via CC BY-SA 2.0