Although progress can be extremely slow, and while many countries around the world are still not in favor of it, the legalization of marriage for homosexual couples has seen an increase in acceptance around the world.

This has been seen in countries all around the world such as Canada which legalized same-sex marriage in 2005; South Africa, which legalized same-sex marriage one year later; and Brazil, which permitted same-sex marriage in 2013. Additionally, Ireland has recently become another country added to the list where same-sex marriage is permitted.

According to the article “Ireland steps closer to same-sex marriage,” written by Greg Botelho “Six months after Irish citizens voted overwhelmingly to change their nation’s Constitution to allow same-sex marriage – paving the way for Ireland to become the first country in the world to adopt such a policy through popular vote – both houses of Parliament passed corresponding legislation.”

The article further reported that same-sex couples will be able to join in union very quickly, as after the bill is signed same-sex couples will be able to get married in only a matter of days.

Reportedly, same-sex marriage has had the support of a large majority of Irish politics, even so far as Ireland’s prime minister, Enda Kenny, tweeting his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage as well as a congratulatory tweet that was sent after the bill was voted upon, congratulating same-sex couples for this step towards equality.

Because of the fact that Ireland is a country in which the majority of its citizens are Catholic, a religion that’s against same-sex marriage, the bill has brought some controversy. However, the results after the bill was voted on showed that a majority of Ireland supported the legalization of same-sex marriage.

The article said, “The final referendum result wasn’t all that close: more than 1.2 million votes in favor of same-sex marriage, compared to about 735,00 against,” meaning that 60 percent of the country is in favor of same-sex marriage, according to an elections official.

The fight for same-sex marriage in Ireland has been an issue since 2010. After homosexuals in Ireland were allowed to join in civil partnerships, many advocates felt that creating civil partnerships would not recognize and protect same-sex couples who want to get married. Furthermore, Irish advocates of same-sex marriage wanted to further distinguish that same-sex marriage would be “different and distinct from religious marriage,” which was said by the same-sex rights group Yes Equality. It further stated “No religious institution can be forced to marry a lesbian or gay couple against their beliefs. Churches will be able to continue with religious ceremonies and will not be required to conduct wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples.”

Nevertheless, although Ireland is historically a country where a majority of citizens practice the Catholic faith, which, as previously stated, is a religion that has been noted for its deep opposition to same-sex marriage, the support for homosexual Irish citizens in the search for marriage equality across the country is huge.

Prime Minister Kenny was not the only Irish political official to publically demonstrate his support for same-sex marriage in Ireland. Using Twitter to reach the rest of Ireland, Justice Minister of Ireland Frances Fitzgerald tweeted “Historic day after a long Journey! Well done to everybody involved!”

Many other Irish officials also used Twitter to express their happiness over the legalization of gay marriage in Ireland, as the Social Protection Minister of Ireland Joan Burton expressed her excitement on the social media platform, while, additionally, Mark O’Halloran, an Irish film star tweeted that “In Ireland there is no such thing as gay marriage or straight marriage. We just have marriage. Full stop. What an amazing day.”