Ireland's Marriage Equality Referendum

Ireland’s Marriage Equality Referendum was a national vote held in 2015 to decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage. Historically, Irish law defined marriage as between a man and a woman, reflecting the country's conservative views. The referendum asked citizens to approve a constitutional amendment to recognize same-sex marriages. With a decisive "Yes" vote—over 62%—the amendment was approved, making Ireland the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through a public vote. This landmark change acknowledged the rights and equality of LGBTQ+ individuals, aligning Irish law with modern human rights standards.