Notable quotes from the Irish referendum on gay marriage
May 23, 2015, 10:01 AM
(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
DUBLIN (AP) — Some reaction Saturday to Ireland’s national vote on legalizing gay marriage:
“A little island at the end of Europe on its way to America has shown that such a small nation can be a beacon of light throughout the world.” — John Lyons, an openly gay member of the Irish parliament, the Dail.
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“People from the (gay) community in Ireland are a minority, but with our parents, our families, or friends and co-workers and colleagues, we’re a majority. … For me, it wasn’t just a referendum. It was more like a social revolution.” — Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s health minister who earlier announced he is gay.
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“Obviously I’m disappointed that our constitution is going to change in this way and it will have some negative impacts that I think are important, but there’s a lot of goodness in Irish people. There’s a lot of goodness in why people were voting ‘yes’ and why people were voting ‘no.'” — Irish Sen. Ronan Mullen.
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“No parent brings a child into the world to consign them to second-class citizenship.” — Mary McAleese, the former president of Ireland who urged a ‘yes’ vote after her gay son kept his sexuality a secret for fear of others.
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“Going forward, we will continue to affirm the importance of the biological ties and of motherhood and fatherhood. … We hope the government will address the concerns voters on the ‘no’ side have about the implications for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.” — David Quinn of the Iona Institute, a Catholic think tank.
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“‘Hats off!’ to all of Ireland and its people. … The Irish ‘yes’ is a vote guided by love and the growing need for a recognition of equality. “” — a statement from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s office.
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“Now that we have a republic of equals and republic of freedom and a republic of love: Today in this new Ireland, Ann Louise Gilligan, will you marry me?” — Katherine Zappone, a feminist theologian who with her partner has been campaigning for marriage equality for years.
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