Voters in Ireland will head to the polls on May 22 to determine whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
The date was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who called for a respectful, tolerant, understanding and sensitive referendum. “It’s a question that will be put very clearly to the people. I support this very strongly. It sets out our image of a very tolerant and inclusive Ireland,” he said.
The vote is needed to amend the family section of Ireland’s 77-year-old constitution.
Voters will be asked: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”
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The vote is particularly historic because if it passes, Ireland would become the world’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage by a national vote.
Recent polls show widespread support for marriage equality in the traditionally conservative Catholic country.