03/08/2016

NI Will Endorse Same-Sex Marriage - Davidson

Northern Ireland will soon endorse same-sex marriage as public support overwhelms opposition to it, according to the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Ruth Davidson, who is openly gay, was delivering a speech at The Mac in Belfast on Tuesday as part of the Belfast Pride celebrations.

Ms Davidson said: "With public support and parliamentary majority the waters are building and the dam will burst.

"I truly believe that tidal wave is set to overflow and that you will, in short order, change history."

Ms Davison is a Protestant who is engaged to a Catholic woman.

She continued: "I might not always agree with every intervention churches make in politics, but I defend their right to do so.

"In Scotland, we made sure that as we passed equal marriage, we also protected the rights of religious groups.

"We owe it to those who take an opposing view to engage and explain, to discuss and persuade.

"You don't effect change by shouting down your opponents, whose votes you need."

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is banned.

(CD)

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