#LoveWins As Ireland Approves Gay Marriage

In a what’s being considered a groundbreaking move in the battle of marriage equality, Ireland became the first nation in the world to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote.  While official election numbers won’t be released until later today, Irish officials predict the win for the yes side was substantial. The results are remarkable considering Ireland’s conservative, Catholic past. Nevertheless, The New York Times notes that support for the marriage referendum from,”across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Enda Kenny of the center-right Fine Gael party.” Thousands of Irish voters who live out of the country returned just to vote in the election like Naomi O’Leary who captured this elated group of Londoners on their way to vote yes. 

From New York and Tokyo to Scotland and beyond, Irish citizens returning home used the hashtag #HomeToVote to chronicle their journey. Come Saturday morning, however, the hashtag #LoveWins was dominating the internet as news of the victory began to spread.

In an interview with the New York Times, David Norris, an Irish senator who 30 years ago helped start the campaign to decriminalize homosexuality in the country, said he was surprised by the level of support for the referendum that he helped champion. “It was wonderful the vote was so overwhelming,” he said. “The straight people of Ireland have said welcome to the Irish family. This should be a template for the rest of the world.”

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