JK Rowling Celebrates Ireland Referendum Passing Gay Marriage Law
Famed author of the world renowned Harry Potter series, JK Rowling has spoken out about the Republic of Ireland’s recent victory in legalizing gay marriage via national referendum. The country, divided off the coast of England, Scotland, and Wales, is the first country in the world to have passed the law by popular vote, an event that has successfully illustrated the positive progression of the LGBT community in the Western world. Rowling tweeted whist watching the historic event of the “yes” vote soaring.
The referendum, held on May 23, ended with a total of 964,616 votes to 599,505, for an inspiring 62 percent yes.
Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015
The referendum vote was a massive victory for equality, and formally leaves Northern Ireland to be the only Western European country still enforcing a ban on same sex marriage. Northern Ireland is synonymous with Catholicism, as the religion is deeply ingrained into the country’s society and culture. LGBT campaigners have begun to place a great deal of pressure on the nation in the hopes of it catching up to its peers.
Rowling, along with millions of others, consider the law to be a natural progression of both morality and human rights, creating a great deal of pressure for the many countries in which homophobia remains a common and unrestricted practice. As fans opened up to the author regarding their own experiences suffering at the hands of intolerance, Rowling reached out to many with encouraging words.
.@ardit_haliti “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
Martin Luther King Jr.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015
JK Rowling has a long history of supporting minorities, and in 2007, the author announced that beloved character Professor Albus Dumbledore was a gay man. The revelation made strides for LGBT equality as the expansive reach of the book introduced a humanised, complex gay character into homes of millions, creating a crucial representation for the minority.
After jokes began circulating, pairing Harry Potter mentor Dumbledore and mischievous Lord of the Rings wizard Gandalf, Rowling responded in good spirits regarding the referendum.
.@justaoifethings ???? Then they could get married IN IRELAND! ???? pic.twitter.com/yXedPavZfp
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015
It has been a pivotal era, not simply for Ireland, but for the entirety of Western Europe as people both LGBT and straight alike have come together to make a definitive motion to bring equality to the country permanently. In light of the vote, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin addressed the change in policy describing it as a “social revolution.” As a representative of the church, Martin told RTE Television “The church has a huge task in front of it get its message across to young people… The church needs to do a reality check.”
[Image credit: Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images]
