The resounding vote in Ireland to legalize same-sex marriage was joyous news. Last Friday's vote was 62.07 percent in favor and 37.93 percent opposed. It was a substantial win, by passing in nearly all constituencies, as voting districts there are called. Just one of the nation's 43 districts had a majority no vote. Turnout was 60.52 percent. Ireland becomes the first country in the world to approve same-sex marriage via popular vote.
Ireland, of course, is a very Catholic country that in recent years has become more secular. Child sexual abuse scandals roiled the church as they have elsewhere, and news reports indicate that the tide has shifted dramatically after years of being in the pocket of the Vatican. Tellingly, young people voted in large numbers, and they voted for marriage equality.
During the campaign, people in support of same-sex marriage told their stories and in the process garnered public support. Journalists and others came out as lesbian or gay, or came out as parents of a gay child. And while the church was opposed, it seemed that Catholic leaders have accepted that their country has changed. It wasn't an easy campaign, but the Yes side prevailed in part because it used real people sharing their life experiences and hopes.
In spite of a recent scientific survey about the effectiveness of people sharing personal stories in same-sex marriage campaigns being debunked, we think people coming out and talking about their lives does have an impact. The lead author of the study in question, Michael LaCour, sought to show that personal stories can persuade people to support marriage equality. But he apparently misrepresented his methods and evidence did not back up his findings. We do know from our experience in California, however, that hiding gays and lesbians from the electorate does not work. In the two statewide fights for marriage in California, Proposition 22 in 2000 and Proposition 8 in 2008, the pro-marriage sides did not take advantage of LGBT people telling their stories, which turned out to be a bad miscalculation. In subsequent elections in Washington state, Maine, and Maryland, voters approved same-sex marriage amid increased public support, including people talking about their lives and their families.
Ireland's Yes campaign involved the transgender community, and its success may have significant benefit down the road in that country. That's because groups like Transgender Equality Network Ireland are pushing for passage of the Gender Recognition Bill, which would allow transgender people to be issued a new birth certificate that reflects their preferred gender. This legislation has been long-stalled, but with the momentum coming off of the marriage equality vote, political leaders should realize there's a strong desire on the part of Irish citizens that people be treated fairly.
The broad vote for marriage equality reflects a cultural shift that we hope will become the norm in the U.S., where support has broken 60 percent, recent polls state. As we brace for a Supreme Court ruling in June that could legalize same-sex marriage in all states, LGBTs and our allies need to understand that the fight will not end if the court's decision is in our favor. We still need national employment and public accommodation non-discrimination laws, and we need to push back against the Religious Freedom Restoration Act laws that are being passed. Last week Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who's exploring a 2016 White House run, issued an executive order protecting those who object to same-sex marriage after a House committee voted down a similar bill. Jindal's move was a blatant political act that shows he's out of step with public opinion. Yes, Louisiana is a red state, but support for same-sex marriage is nudging up even in the South.
What Ireland's vote shows is that people can look beyond the homophobia and do the right thing. When the nuptials begin, we expect to see more acceptance from society. Homophobia likely won't ever go away, but same-sex couples who marry will gain important legal recognition. We're elated with the victory across the pond, which adds one more country to the 20 that allow same-sex marriage nationally.