WATCH: Marriage Equality Almost Official in Ireland

Marriage equality in the first country in the world to approve it by popular vote is now one step away from reality.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

October 08 2015 12:24 PM EST

October 08 2015 1:13 PM EST

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Ireland is one step closer to allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil marriages.

One of the two houses of Irish Parliament Wednesday passed what is simply known as the Marriage Bill, granting same-sex couples the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples. Although the right has already been enshrined in the Irish constitution after voters approved it in a referendum in May (and legal challenges to it were dismissed), Parliament has to pass the bill before marriages can take place.

"This is a day to thank the people of Ireland for their vote on May 22," declared Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, after the bill passed the Dail Eireann, which is Irish for "Assembly of Ireland," to great applause, according to a report from Irish broadcaster RTE. That vote made Ireland the the first country in the world to approve marriage equality by popular vote.

Wednesday marked a "momentous day on our journey towards a more equal republic," said Robert Troy, a member of Parliament from the center-right Fianna Fail party.

Now the bill moves onto the Seanad, the Irish equivalent of the Senate. Same-sex marriages are expected to be taking place by November.

Watch RTE's video from the Dail, here.