Ireland makes history as first country in world to call for marriage equality by popular vote.
On Friday 22 May 2015 Irish voters made history as the first country in the world to call for marriage equality by referendum. Ireland has fulfilled the aspirations of equality campaigners and made a bold statement to the world that Ireland considers all love equal.
Despite the fears that it would be a very close race, the electorate gave the Yes Campaign a resounding landslide victory with a margin of more than 467,000 to pass the Marriage Equality Bill. In total, 1,201,607 (62%) people voted for the amendment, while 734,300 (38%) voted against. Roscommon–South Leitrim was the only constituency (of 43) to vote No, and even then it was a small margin at No 51.4%, Yes 48.6%.
The referendum campaign was not without its controversies but it must be regarded as a watershed moment for Irish society. The demographics of the Yes vote contest that young–Ireland is a more liberal and accepting place than previously; as the younger generations highlight their preference for rights over religion. The result further highlights the situation in Northern Ireland where it has become at once the only part of the UK and the Island of Ireland where same–sex couples are barred from availing of their equal rights. In fact, Northern Ireland is now the only region in Western Europe where same–sex marriage is not permitted.
The referendum has also highlighted emigrant voting rights as #Hometovote trended on twitter on Friday when thousands of recently emigrated Irish returned to cast their vote. While new groups such as Get the Boat to Vote and Irish Abroad for Yes emerged to join the likes of Votes for Irish Citizens Abroad (VICA), We’re Coming Back and ourselves (Irish in Britain) to call for voting rights for Irish citizens.
This referendum stands in stark comparison to the last ballot on a major social change, namely the 1995 divorce referendum which was narrowly accepted with a margin of 9,114 votes after a divisive debate. The Journal.ie held a poll on Monday 25 May to ask ‘What issue would you like to see a referendum on next?’. At the time of writing, repealing the 8th amendment on abortion was the first choice for 53% (8,261 votes) of those polled, followed by ‘Votes for Irish Abroad’ on 17% (2,652 votes); suggesting an appetite for further social change.
It is assumed that the high turnout by younger and first time votes may have played a big part in the result, with more than one commentator making comparisons to Scotland’s recent referendum and its legacy of awakening a generation to politics in an unprecedented way. The recent UK election results in Scotland may stand as a warning and opportunity to the main parties in Ireland, if they can give generation Yes a reason the vote they could enjoy a level of support unimaginable at the last election.
Irish in Britain will soon welcome the London Irish LGBT Network as a new Member Organisation – if you would like to make contact with the network click here.