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26/05/2015
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.
He said: "The North now sticks out like a sore thumb as the only part of these islands, indeed the only part of far Western Europe that does not permit marriage equality. That does not present a welcoming image to gay people at home or abroad.
"I do not see the sense in not giving gay couples the freedom to marry in Ballymena or Ballycastle in their own communities and with their own families when they have the right to do so in Dundalk and Donegal.
"Regardless of referendums however gay people should have the same rights as anybody else.
"I am the only local North Antrim MLA to support marriage equality but I do think that the result at the weekend shows that public opinion in Ireland, north and south, is ahead of where many politicians are at.
"We should always remember the unseen devastation that has been caused by prejudice against the gay community. The sense of isolation, self-harm, the suicide rate amongst many young gay people is something that must be tackled once and for all.
"The result at the weekend will help that. The continuing blocking of the rights of gay people at Stormont will not."
(CD)
Daithí McKay MLA is also calling for the same rights to be extended to Northern Ireland.
He said: "The North now sticks out like a sore thumb as the only part of these islands, indeed the only part of far Western Europe that does not permit marriage equality. That does not present a welcoming image to gay people at home or abroad.
"I do not see the sense in not giving gay couples the freedom to marry in Ballymena or Ballycastle in their own communities and with their own families when they have the right to do so in Dundalk and Donegal.
"Regardless of referendums however gay people should have the same rights as anybody else.
"I am the only local North Antrim MLA to support marriage equality but I do think that the result at the weekend shows that public opinion in Ireland, north and south, is ahead of where many politicians are at.
"We should always remember the unseen devastation that has been caused by prejudice against the gay community. The sense of isolation, self-harm, the suicide rate amongst many young gay people is something that must be tackled once and for all.
"The result at the weekend will help that. The continuing blocking of the rights of gay people at Stormont will not."
(CD)
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The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
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Gay Rights Campaigner PA Maglochlainn Dies
The first openly gay representative to sit on a Northern Irish party’s executive has died. PA Maglochlainn was a well known gay rights campaigner from L’Derry and was president of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (NIGRA) for 20 years. Mr Maglochlainn had been receiving hospital treatment for a long-term illness.
Gay Rights Campaigner PA Maglochlainn Dies
The first openly gay representative to sit on a Northern Irish party’s executive has died. PA Maglochlainn was a well known gay rights campaigner from L’Derry and was president of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (NIGRA) for 20 years. Mr Maglochlainn had been receiving hospital treatment for a long-term illness.
17 June 2019
NI Majority Not Prejudiced Towards Transgender People
Over 70% of people in Northern Ireland have described themselves as not prejudiced towards the transgender community, a research study has revealed.
NI Majority Not Prejudiced Towards Transgender People
Over 70% of people in Northern Ireland have described themselves as not prejudiced towards the transgender community, a research study has revealed.
08 July 2008
Ruane Supports Counselling For Gay Pupils
Weeks after controversial comments on 'turning' members of the gay community by DUP MP, Iris Robinson, the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has placed herself firmly on the side of tolerance and acceptance - and indicated she is backing school-based professional counselling services for gay pupils.
Ruane Supports Counselling For Gay Pupils
Weeks after controversial comments on 'turning' members of the gay community by DUP MP, Iris Robinson, the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has placed herself firmly on the side of tolerance and acceptance - and indicated she is backing school-based professional counselling services for gay pupils.
20 October 2005
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
