Dear Ireland,
You are my home ... my heritage. You are the country that makes up a huge part of who I am. Throughout history you've had your ups and downs, but you've persevered and grown into the wonderful country you are today. Today, you are a country that offers equal opportunity. You recognize love. You recognize and accept people as they are, giving them the opportunity to spend their lives with the ones they love—regardless of their preference. You have given these people marriage equality.
You have made me even prouder of my Irish roots. This is not only a huge step for Ireland, but also the world. People are beginning to realize and understand that there shouldn't be a limit put on the love between couples. If a same-sex couple wants to marry, then they should be able to have the same rights as any heterosexual couple.
Words cannot begin to express my excitement and pride over Ireland's massive turnout resulting in the majority vote of “yes" for marriage equality. There are quite a few people that I love and care about who are gay. Although they may not live in Ireland, this gives the rest of the world hope for the same outcome. They deserve the right to marriage equality. This is for them. This is for everyone. Here in the United States, it gives many others, including me, the hope that all people will be able to marry in every state soon. The world is changing and growing, and we should be growing alongside them. Change cannot happen unless everyone is on board.
To the people of Ireland, thank you for coming together to make marriage equality possible. You have started a revolution that will hopefully ignite the fire in everyone to move forward for equality. Thank you for showing us that it is possible to make marriage equality happen. Thank you for realizing that our time is now.
You have shown strength and compassion. Please continue to spread those qualities as you grow. Love and compassion can spread as far and wide as you allow it. With hard work, it can spread globally, and all people can have the opportunity to experience marriage equality.
Love has no bounds, but the law tries to define and limit its meaning and who should be able to be with the one they love. If a couple wants to commit to each other, to love and support one another until they die, they should have the right to say "I do."
I am a woman that supports love and equality for all. I know I am not alone in this belief, and I hope that more people can see the change that needs to happen. If Ireland can vote yes, then so can America.
What are we waiting for? America it's time to #VoteYesForEquality. Can we rise to the occasion? I believe that we can.
With love,
A Supporter of Love and Equality for All
