The Internet exploded with rainbows Saturday as
Ireland became the first country in the world to
legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
Ireland became a worldwide trending topic on social
media after voters approved the referendum by as
much as 70% in some constituencies.
Among the posts, pictures and memes, a common
refrain emerged: If the predominantly Catholic
country can come together in support of same-sex
marriage, what's stopping other countries from
rethinking their stance?
The social media buildup started with Friday's
polling. Many citizens who live abroad returned
home to vote, and demonstrated their support not
just at the ballot box, but online with tweets using the
#HometoVote hashtag.
Rainbows figured prominently in social media posts
-- especially when real rainbows appeared in the sky
over Dublin. Some were quick to suggest -- perhaps
ironically, maybe not -- that it was Jesus casting his
vote.
The colorful imagery continued after polls closed and
early reports indicated the "Yes" side had succeeded,
with many using the #MarRef (for marriage
referendum) hashtag.
Even those on the other side of the issue -- such as
David Quinn, a director of the Iona Institute, a
conservative Catholic think tank -- conceded the
outcome.
Folks in the "Yes" camp offered gracious and
amusing comments to those on the other side.
Comedian Eleanor Tiernan jokingly offered "good
luck to the no side in dealing with all the changes this
won't bring to their lives."
Cian Murphy, a faculty member at the law school of
King's College London, thought about the mothers
out there who now have reason to pester their gay
and lesbian children, much like they might have
bugged their heterosexual sons and daughters, to
put a ring on it.
You didn't have to be in Ireland, though, to share in
or appreciate the moment.
Alastair Campbell, once a spokesman to former
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, noted Ireland's role
in leading the way internationally.
"Ireland led world on smoking legislation," Campbell
tweeted. "Now looks like being first country to deliver
gay marriage with specific popular consent."
Author Cecelia Ahern gave her own shout out to
Ireland, tweeting her love to "the little island with the
big voice."
Another acclaimed author, J.K. Rowling, quoted the
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about "the arc of the
moral universe (bending) toward justice" in
reference to what she called an "extraordinary and
wonderful" vote.
The Scotland-based "Harry Potter" creator used a
meme featuring three pop culture characters --
Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, The Lord
of the Rings' Gandalf and Ted, the dude from "Bill
and Ted's Excellent Adventure," whose face was
pictured with the words, "What if Dumbledore and
Gandalf were gay together."
Dumbledore and Gandalf aren't the only imaginary
couple who can now get hitched in Ireland.
Still, it's the thousands of real couples -- not to
mention all their families and friends -- who have the
most reason to celebrate. For them, the vote means
they can have not just a wedding day like opposite-
sex couples have had for centuries, but many of the
same rights that go with marriage.
Reflecting on what he called "serious history being
made" in his homeland, Irish Times communities
editor David Cochrane said the vote wasn't just about
one's definition of marriage; it was how the Irish see
themselves.
"I thought #MarRef would be about gay identity," he
wrote. "I was so wrong. It became about Irish
identity. So proud of the Ireland I live in.

This is what is called Right.

jorrn:
The Internet exploded with rainbows Saturday as
Ireland became the first country in the world to
legalize same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
Ireland became a worldwide trending topic on social
media after voters approved the referendum by as
much as 70% in some constituencies.
Among the posts, pictures and memes, a common
refrain emerged: If the predominantly Catholic
country can come together in support of same-sex
marriage, what's stopping other countries from
rethinking their stance?
The social media buildup started with Friday's
polling. Many citizens who live abroad returned
home to vote, and demonstrated their support not
just at the ballot box, but online with tweets using the
#HometoVote hashtag.
Rainbows figured prominently in social media posts
-- especially when real rainbows appeared in the sky
over Dublin. Some were quick to suggest -- perhaps
ironically, maybe not -- that it was Jesus casting his
vote.
The colorful imagery continued after polls closed and
early reports indicated the "Yes" side had succeeded,
with many using the #MarRef (for marriage
referendum) hashtag.
Even those on the other side of the issue -- such as
David Quinn, a director of the Iona Institute, a
conservative Catholic think tank -- conceded the
outcome.
Folks in the "Yes" camp offered gracious and
amusing comments to those on the other side.
Comedian Eleanor Tiernan jokingly offered "good
luck to the no side in dealing with all the changes this
won't bring to their lives."
Cian Murphy, a faculty member at the law school of
King's College London, thought about the mothers
out there who now have reason to pester their gay
and lesbian children, much like they might have
bugged their heterosexual sons and daughters, to
put a ring on it.
You didn't have to be in Ireland, though, to share in
or appreciate the moment.
Alastair Campbell, once a spokesman to former
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, noted Ireland's role
in leading the way internationally.
"Ireland led world on smoking legislation," Campbell
tweeted. "Now looks like being first country to deliver
gay marriage with specific popular consent."
Author Cecelia Ahern gave her own shout out to
Ireland, tweeting her love to "the little island with the
big voice."
Another acclaimed author, J.K. Rowling, quoted the
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. about "the arc of the
moral universe (bending) toward justice" in
reference to what she called an "extraordinary and
wonderful" vote.
The Scotland-based "Harry Potter" creator used a
meme featuring three pop culture characters --
Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, The Lord
of the Rings' Gandalf and Ted, the dude from "Bill
and Ted's Excellent Adventure," whose face was
pictured with the words, "What if Dumbledore and
Gandalf were gay together."
Dumbledore and Gandalf aren't the only imaginary
couple who can now get hitched in Ireland.
Still, it's the thousands of real couples -- not to
mention all their families and friends -- who have the
most reason to celebrate. For them, the vote means
they can have not just a wedding day like opposite-
sex couples have had for centuries, but many of the
same rights that go with marriage.
Reflecting on what he called "serious history being
made" in his homeland, Irish Times communities
editor David Cochrane said the vote wasn't just about
one's definition of marriage; it was how the Irish see
themselves.
"I thought #MarRef would be about gay identity," he
wrote. "I was so wrong. It became about Irish
identity. So proud of the Ireland I live in.

So proud to be Irish :')

YourMain:


So proud to be Irish :')

what is going to be the implication of this legalisation in the near future.

jorrn:
what is going to be the implication of this legalisation in the near future.

Equal rights for all.

I guess gay men and women will adopt kids. "Gay love" will be introduced in school. Less discrimination I guess