May 23, 2015 /

Rejoice! Ireland votes YES!

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: Drag queen artist and Yes campaign activist, Panti Bliss joins supporters in favour of same-sex marriage celebrate and cheer as thousands gather in Dublin Castle square awaiting the referendum vote outcome on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland are taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 23: Drag queen artist and Yes campaign activist, Panti Bliss joins supporters in favour of same-sex marriage celebrate and cheer as thousands gather in Dublin Castle square awaiting the referendum vote outcome on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland are taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country’s constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

It’s a marvelous day in the neighborhood…

For older activists, the moment marked a profound evolution of their country. For the world, it suggested how far the gay rights movement has come, to make such a significant step in a country with a storied history as a religious stronghold.

“Throughout my youth, adolescence and young adulthood, it was a criminal offense to be gay,” said David Norris, a 70-year-old Irish senator and longtime activist.

David Norris photographed by Brian Lawless/PA
David Norris photographed by Brian Lawless/PA

He said he had faced “total isolation” as a young man.

“There was silence on the subject,” he said. “It wasn’t mentioned in the newspapers, it wasn’t mentioned in the broadcast media. Then there was a fear of criminal prosecution, of being involuntarily placed in a lunatic asylum, losing your job, being socially destroyed. It was a terrible situation.”

The referendum changes Ireland’s Constitution so that civil marriage between two people is now legal “without distinction as to their sex.”

Ireland Votes to Approve Gay Marriage, Putting Country in Vanguard

By DANNY HAKIM and DOUGLAS DALBY for THE NEW YORK TIMES MAY 23, 2015

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The Guardian — Same-sex marriage: readers’ stories and photos from around the world

Senator Katherine Zappone and her partner Ann Louise Gilligan kiss as they join the crowd celebrating the yes vote outside Dublin castle on Saturday. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Getty Images
Senator Katherine Zappone and her partner Ann Louise Gilligan kiss as they join the crowd celebrating the yes vote outside Dublin castle on Saturday. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Getty Images
A couple embraces outside the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage.(Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)
A couple embraces outside the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage.(Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

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TagsActivist Panti Bliss David Norris arrives for vote counting Ireland approves gay marriage Ireland becomes first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote Ireland votes yes Panti's Noble Call at the Abbey Theatre Photo by Brian Lawless Photo by Cathal McNaughtonby Photo by Charles McQuillan for Getty Images Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne