Take a look at how the people of Ireland are showing support for marriage equality.
For years, LGBT activists have pushed to establish full, equal rights under Irish law.
The people of Ireland take to the polls to cast a vote that could improve the lives of countless citizens: a vote on whether or not they will embrace marriage equality.
A 2010 law granted same-sex couples the ability to apply for civil partnerships but still prevented them from being allowed the full equal treatment that comes with marriage. In 2013, the government announced that they would support putting the question of marriage equality up to a vote sometime in the first half of 2015, and that brings us to now.
The vote is a simple "yes" or "no," asking whether or not to add a single sentence to the country's constitution.
That sentence is simply, "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex."
Those in favor of marriage equality will vote "yes." Those opposed will vote "no."
LGBT people and their supporters have been out in full force urging the people of Ireland to vote yes, driving the hashtag "#VoteYes" near the top of Twitter's worldwide trend list.
The cause drew support from Ben & Jerry's.
Today, YOU have the chance to make history. VOTE YES to change Ireland's equality landscape forever. #YesEquality pic.twitter.com/gh9mxDPopK
— Ben&JerrysIRL (@BenandJerrysIRL) May 22, 2015
Rock band U2 voiced support for equality in the country they call home.
A photo posted by U2 Official (@u2) on
And best of all, it brought out some incredibly thoughtful, energetic tweets from regular people about to experience something fantastic in their country.
I'm voting Yes! Are you? #VoteYesForEquality #voteyes #irishreferendum #MarRef2015 pic.twitter.com/2bvvegzDme
— Sheilann (@SheilannO) May 22, 2015
Ruthe later admitted that she ate the "I've" Skittles but it's the thought that counts.
I didn't have enough skittles for "I've". Sorry. #YesEquality #VoteYes #MarRef pic.twitter.com/5GQPGkN4ci
— Ruthe Phoenix (@RuthePhoenix) May 22, 2015
Let's hope there are not as many shy no voters in #MarRef as there were shy Tories at #GE2015. #VoteYes #GoIreland pic.twitter.com/H4yWP02B5J
— Matthew Dekenah (@MattDekenah) May 22, 2015
There were lots of pictures of people going to or from the polling place.
Just voted in the #MarRef and voted YES for #marriagequality! Get out and #VoteYes today and we'll #MakeGraTheLaw! pic.twitter.com/VU76xJmJN4
— Kieron Pierson (@mrkieronpierson) May 22, 2015
#VoteYes , Via Snapchat:Instagram pic.twitter.com/EVi51nWrnd
— Sinead Cady (@SineadCUpdates) May 22, 2015
Support also came in the form of clothing choices.
Supporting equality in #Ireland with my socks #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/GuTpjZAkVk
— Etienne Chevalier (@Moon_Face_Boy) May 22, 2015
John here makes an excellent point. What better way to show how much you appreciate the work of Oscar Wilde than to improve the lives of LGBT people in his home country? I mean, other than tattooing a quote of his on your body like I did.
Do it for Oscar Wilde and all #LGBT people #VoteYes #Ireland #VoteYesForEquality #MarRef #equality #equalmarriage pic.twitter.com/WKhyTrUGU7
— John Sinopoli (@TheJohnSinopoli) May 22, 2015
My absolute favorite, however, is this post by Kevin Beirne. His mom made a few, let's say, changes to his room.
Came #hometovote all the way from London and found my mum had made some subtle changes to my room for me #VoteYes pic.twitter.com/BOdxqXhJoN
— Kevin Beirne (@KevBeirne) May 21, 2015
No matter who you are or where you live, you can appreciate how powerful this moment is in history.
Take, for example, the story of William and Kevin. The two have been together for nearly 10 years. They recently got engaged and live in Savannah, Georgia. For them, there's hope that the U.S. will support marriage equality with the upcoming Supreme Court decision.
They look at Ireland's situation with hope for their own future.
#VoteYes I know we can prove love wins over ALL #VoteYes & I need to be able to marry so help me out #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/7d47iprs7W
— Devonn Duncan (@Willdd79) May 22, 2015