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02/10/2012
MLAs Reject Gay Marriage Motion
Stormont has rejected a call to allow homosexual couples the right to marry.
The motion, which called for all couples, straight or gay, to be treated equally in the eyes of the law, was tabled by the Green Party and by Sinn Féin.
The DUP opposed the motion from the off-set, and tabled a petition of concern to ensure the it would have to command a cross-community majority to succeed.
45 assembly members voted to back the move, including only three unionists - UUP MLAs Michael Copeland, Danny Kinahan and Basil McCrea.
Green Party MLA Steven Agnew said he was disappointed and told the BBC: "There are many who argued, both before and during the debate, that the 'vast majority of people in Northern Ireland' are against marriage equality; however, today's debate puts an end to that argument", he said.
"Close to 50% of elected members of the assembly publicly declared their support for same-sex marriage by voting in favour of this motion today."
The Presbyterian Church had strongly opposed the motion, articulating its arguments in a letter published prior to the discussion.
The letter said it was "not merely an issue of conscience for Christian people and churches, but a very significant one for the whole of society".
Gay marriage would "effectively demolish generations and centuries of societal norms established on Judaeo-Christian values”, according to the letter.
The debate is currently a hot topic throughout the UK, with Westminster consulting on whether to allow gay couples in England and Wales to marry.
In Scotland, the SNP government has announced plans to bring forward a bill on the issue.
(IT/GK)
The motion, which called for all couples, straight or gay, to be treated equally in the eyes of the law, was tabled by the Green Party and by Sinn Féin.
The DUP opposed the motion from the off-set, and tabled a petition of concern to ensure the it would have to command a cross-community majority to succeed.
45 assembly members voted to back the move, including only three unionists - UUP MLAs Michael Copeland, Danny Kinahan and Basil McCrea.
Green Party MLA Steven Agnew said he was disappointed and told the BBC: "There are many who argued, both before and during the debate, that the 'vast majority of people in Northern Ireland' are against marriage equality; however, today's debate puts an end to that argument", he said.
"Close to 50% of elected members of the assembly publicly declared their support for same-sex marriage by voting in favour of this motion today."
The Presbyterian Church had strongly opposed the motion, articulating its arguments in a letter published prior to the discussion.
The letter said it was "not merely an issue of conscience for Christian people and churches, but a very significant one for the whole of society".
Gay marriage would "effectively demolish generations and centuries of societal norms established on Judaeo-Christian values”, according to the letter.
The debate is currently a hot topic throughout the UK, with Westminster consulting on whether to allow gay couples in England and Wales to marry.
In Scotland, the SNP government has announced plans to bring forward a bill on the issue.
(IT/GK)
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26 May 2015
Call For Marriage Referendum To Be Extended Into NI
Sinn Féin said the result of the marriage referendum represents the lifting of discrimination against the gay community in the rest of the island of Ireland. Daithí McKay MLA is also calling for the same rights to be extended to Northern Ireland.
Call For Marriage Referendum To Be Extended Into NI
Sinn Féin said the result of the marriage referendum represents the lifting of discrimination against the gay community in the rest of the island of Ireland. Daithí McKay MLA is also calling for the same rights to be extended to Northern Ireland.
26 April 2013
DUP Table Petition Of Concern On Same Sex Marriage Motion
DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir has confirmed the Party has tabled a Petition of Concern on the same sex marriage motion, which has been tabled by Sinn Fein for debate in the Assembly next week. The Chief Whip said: "It is only a few months since the Assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time.
DUP Table Petition Of Concern On Same Sex Marriage Motion
DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir has confirmed the Party has tabled a Petition of Concern on the same sex marriage motion, which has been tabled by Sinn Fein for debate in the Assembly next week. The Chief Whip said: "It is only a few months since the Assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time.
30 April 2013
Gay Marriage Motion Defeated
A Sinn Féin motion to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been defeated. Bronwyn McGahan had proposed the motion, but it was defeated in the Assembly by 53 votes to 42. 50 unionist MLAs and three members of the Alliance voted against, while all 37 nationalists and three unionists voted in favour.
Gay Marriage Motion Defeated
A Sinn Féin motion to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been defeated. Bronwyn McGahan had proposed the motion, but it was defeated in the Assembly by 53 votes to 42. 50 unionist MLAs and three members of the Alliance voted against, while all 37 nationalists and three unionists voted in favour.
30 April 2014
Gay Marriage Defeated
A proposal to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been rejected by MLAs at Stormont. The Sinn Féin motion to introduce gay marriage in Northern Ireland, while also allowing religious institutions the freedom to opt out of same-sex marriage ceremonies, was defeated with 51 voting 'yes' and 40 voting against.
Gay Marriage Defeated
A proposal to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been rejected by MLAs at Stormont. The Sinn Féin motion to introduce gay marriage in Northern Ireland, while also allowing religious institutions the freedom to opt out of same-sex marriage ceremonies, was defeated with 51 voting 'yes' and 40 voting against.
02 November 2015
Majority Of MLAs Favour Same Sex Marriage
A majority of MLAs have voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, however the DUP has lodged a petition of concern ahead of the vote. This means that while the majority favoured same sex marriage the motion was lost. 53 MLAs voted in favour and 51 voted against. Another politician abstained from the vote.
Majority Of MLAs Favour Same Sex Marriage
A majority of MLAs have voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, however the DUP has lodged a petition of concern ahead of the vote. This means that while the majority favoured same sex marriage the motion was lost. 53 MLAs voted in favour and 51 voted against. Another politician abstained from the vote.
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