TORONTO — Ireland made history Saturday as the first country to legalize equal marriage through a popular vote.
A decisive 62 per cent of the population in the predominantly Catholic nation voted “yes” to allow citizens to marry regardless of gender.
If the bill becomes law by early July, as expected, same sex couples in Ireland will be allowed to marry by the fall.
Ireland joins at least 17 other countries that have legalized equal marriage — including Canada, where it was enshrined in law in 2005.
The result of the Irish referendum sparked celebrations around the world. Among those sharing their congratulations were dozens of authors, musicians and movie stars.
Performing in Phoenix on Saturday night, U2 dedicated “Pride (In The Name of Love)” to the Irish vote — even changing the lyrics to “Free at last / they took your life / they could not take your gay pride.”
“We have true equality in Ireland,” singer Bono said. “Because millions turned up to vote yesterday to say, ‘love is the highest law in the land! Love!’ The biggest turnout in the history of the state, to say ‘love is the highest law in the land!’ Because if God loves us, whoever we love, wherever we come from…then why can’t the state?'”
On U2’s official Instagram page, Bono’s bandmate The Edge, wearing a green boa, raised a glass of wine to Ireland.
Dublin-born actor Colin Farrell, whose brother Eamon married artist Steven Mannion in Vancouver in 2009, said Ireland has “guaranteed a brighter and more loving future for all who call this beautiful land home.”
Last year, Farrell made an impassioned plea for marriage equality. “It’s about inclusion. It’s about fairness,” he wrote in Sunday World.
Halifax-born actress Ellen Page, who came out publicly last year, tweeted simply: “IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Comedian Caroline Rhea, a native of Montreal, called Ireland a “beautiful country and beacon of Light” on Twitter. She added a cheeky “Top (and bottom) of the morning to you all.”
Toronto actor Stephen Amell, who was in Dublin when the vote was happening, tweeted: “I’m an ordained minister, so hopefully I’ll preside over a marriage.”
He later added: “Good work on that whole marriage equality thing, Ireland. Nailed it.”
Here’s a look at how other celebrities reacted to the vote in Ireland:
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