In a stunning surprise, the UK has voted to depart from the European Union, with the "Leave" vote winning 52% to 48%.

Not long after the results were tallied, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced he was planning to step down in October. He claimed England needed a leader committed to carrying out the will of the people.

“I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months,” said Cameron. “But I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.”

The immediate reaction was a hit to financial markets, with the British pound now at its lowest level against the dollar in 30 years. But the long-term effects are yet to be seen.

What does Brexit mean for the British and international LGBT community?

The far-right UK Independence Party (UKIP) was a leader in the movement to secede from the EU, and will likely try to leverage this victory into more power in Parliament.

“Dare to dream that the dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom,” declared UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

Various UKIP leaders have called for the re-criminalization of homosexuality, a ban on HIV-positive people entering the country, and the repeal of equal marriage in Great Britain.

Cameron's failure to keep Britain in the union is prompting his departure from 10 Downing Street—meaning LGBT Britons are losing a staunch ally who helped bring marriage equality to the country.

“I am very proud and very honored to have been Prime Minister for six years," Cameron said in a press conference after the vote. "I believe we’ve made great steps… building a bigger and stronger society, and enabling those who love each other to get married, whatever their sexuality.”

He added, “The British people have voted to leave the EU and their will must be respected."

Brexit also means the UK will have less influence on other European countries to improve the situation for LGBT people. And LGBT immigrants from inside and outside Europe will likely face greater barriers.

The withdrawal of Britain, Europe's second largest economy, puts the fate of the entire Union in jeopardy. Should it dissolve, nations who improved their LGBT policies in order to gain admittance could return to their old oppressive ways.

Sometimes democracy is a real bitch.