Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A young gay man or woman will not feel the same pressure to conform to hide his or her identity. A young transgender person will not feel as nervous about the public aspects of transitioning. The decision of 22 May has sent a powerful message that homophobia is unacceptable to us.

The decision has confirmed once again the vitality of our Constitution. To adopt a phrase from Lyndon B. Johnson, it is the genius of our Constitution that under its shelter of enduring institutions and rooted principles there is ample room for evolution. Marriage, a cherished institution, has been adopted for a new era but retains its fundamental character. Importantly, as a result of the constitutional amendment, couples across this country will gain the protection of the Constitution and its defence of their rights.

On 22 May 2015, the green jersey turned rainbow. Ireland, the first sovereign country to decide in favour of marriage equality by popular vote, decided decisively that the rights of the majority must also be extended to the minority. Headlines in newspapers across the world announced Ireland had become a world leader on marriage equality. The audacity of what we have achieved resonated internationally. What a fine record for a people to be celebrated internationally for our respect for human rights.

Over the next years, we will celebrate the heroism of our forefathers who secured the independence of our State. I would like to take a moment today to celebrate the heroism of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, of their families, friends and neighbours, who changed the attitudes of the people. Theirs is a heroism for the modern age which is no less transformative in what it has achieved. Their achievements too will be recalled with pride in the decades to come.

John F. Kennedy famously said:

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.

The referendum decision and today’s Bill confirms that our nation is embracing the modern world and looking confidently to the future. Today is an expression of our hope for the future. Today we can be proud that our nation has taken its place among the nations of the earth as a champion of marriage equality and of the rights of all our people.

I thank all the Senators who spoke today and ensured the historic passing of this Marriage Bill. I thank the people of Ireland who made this possible.