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.
Image by Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images.
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.
Rock band U2 voiced support for equality in the country they call home.
A photo posted by U2 Official (@u2) on
