In Ireland, voters have overwhelmingly approved marriagemaking the Emerald Isle the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote.
The official results were announced May 23: 1,201,607 voted in favor of the referendum, while 734,300 voted against it. More than 60 percent of eligible voters turned out, including thousands who returned home from other countries.
The development was also considered revolutionary because it happened in a traditionally Catholic country.
Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the vote "disclosed who we area generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people," CNN noted. Gerry Adams, who leads the Sinn Fein political party, called it "a huge day for equality."
Marianne Duddy-Burkeexecutive director of pro-LGBT Catholic organization Dignity USAsaid in a statement, "It is very significant that the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage by popular referendum is a predominantly Catholic country.
"This demonstrates that Catholics understand and live by the true values of our faithlove, family, inclusion, and honoring the dignity of all people. They voted with their hearts and their consciences, and the result is increased justice."
The Chicago branch of Dignity has also weighed in on the development. In a statement to Windy City Times, spokesman Chris Pett said, "This is more than 'winning' a vote. Although significant and very symbolic, this is more about a people with a strong identity of independence and moral values.
"Overwhelmingly Catholic, the Irish people spoke out about the truth of all loving and committed relationships, straight or same-sex. The message here is clear. You can neither obstruct nor hide from the truth, the truth of our lives and relationships will always win out.
"While we celebrate marriage equality for the people of Ireland, we look forward to the upcoming ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States, which hopefully will affirm the right of same-sex couples across this country, in all states, to enter into a lawful marriage that carries with it the rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual couples.
"We call on the Supreme Court to recognize in this historic national vote, and in the will and intent of the people of Ireland it represents, the opportunity for this country to stand proudly with the many other nations who have affirmed marriage equality and who seek a more just and respectful society and world."
Rea Carey, who leads the National LGBTQ Task Force, said in a separate statement, "This 'yes' vote is truly historic. ... Our hope is that the luck of the Irish will be with us when the United States Supreme Court announces its historic marriage equality decision this summer."
Andrew Davis
From DignityUSA:
Ireland marriage equality vote a "great day" for the Catholic church say LGBT catholics
DignityUSA congratulates and thanks the people of Ireland, and especially our fellow Catholics, for their overwhelming vote in favor of marriage equality.
Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke said, "It is very significant that the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage by popular referendum is a predominantly Catholic country. This demonstrates that Catholics understand and live by the true values of our faithlove, family, inclusion, and honoring the dignity of all people. They voted with their hearts and their consciences, and the result is increased justice.
"We appreciate the gracious and respectful concession of those whose consciences led them to vote against the referendum. We pray that there will be peace and unity throughout the country as implementation of marriage equality moves forward. We hope that the leaders of the Catholic Church will honor the decision made through the democratic process, and will not take any punitive action or make negative statements against Catholics or political leaders who voted in favor of marriage equality.
"This is a great day for the people of Ireland, for same-sex couples throughout the world, and for the Catholic Church. I believe in the long run, this day will be seen as a turning point for our Church, as it will serve as a wake-up call for our bishops and the Pope. I believe they will be called to an examination of conscience to understand why Catholics support lesbian and gay couples and our families so strongly."
DignityUSA is the nation's foremost organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. It is a founding member of the Equally Blessed and NunJustice Coalitions.