Menu
09/03/2017
Same-Sex Marriage Must Be A 'Litmus Test' For New Executive
Campaigners have said a commitment to deliver same-sex marriage must be a litmus test for any new Northern Ireland government.
The campaigners, from the Love Equality coalition, said they believed there was now a clear majority of MLAs in the newly-elected Assembly in favour of equal marriage.
They called for a cross-party commitment to pass equal marriage legislation early in the new Assembly mandate, saying this should be a key litmus test for whether any new Executive was willing to be a "government for all the people" of Northern Ireland.
Clare Moore of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC-ICTU), said: "Any new Executive must be willing to be a government for all the people of Northern Ireland. A key litmus test of this is whether it is willing to pass equal marriage legislation, as supported by an overwhelming majority of people and now also of Assembly members.
"The Love Equality campaign knows that a very significant majority of members of the new Assembly support equal marriage. The will of the people must be respected. That means there must be no more delay in delivering marriage equality."
Declan Meehan of Cara-Friend, one of Northern Ireland's main LGBT community organisations, said: "All of the people of Northern Ireland must be served by the incoming government – that includes the LGBT community.
"Before any new Executive is formed, there must be a firm commitment to deliver equal marriage legislation. Without that, we know it will be another five years of LGBT people being treated as second-class citizens of Northern Ireland."
(CD)
The campaigners, from the Love Equality coalition, said they believed there was now a clear majority of MLAs in the newly-elected Assembly in favour of equal marriage.
They called for a cross-party commitment to pass equal marriage legislation early in the new Assembly mandate, saying this should be a key litmus test for whether any new Executive was willing to be a "government for all the people" of Northern Ireland.
Clare Moore of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC-ICTU), said: "Any new Executive must be willing to be a government for all the people of Northern Ireland. A key litmus test of this is whether it is willing to pass equal marriage legislation, as supported by an overwhelming majority of people and now also of Assembly members.
"The Love Equality campaign knows that a very significant majority of members of the new Assembly support equal marriage. The will of the people must be respected. That means there must be no more delay in delivering marriage equality."
Declan Meehan of Cara-Friend, one of Northern Ireland's main LGBT community organisations, said: "All of the people of Northern Ireland must be served by the incoming government – that includes the LGBT community.
"Before any new Executive is formed, there must be a firm commitment to deliver equal marriage legislation. Without that, we know it will be another five years of LGBT people being treated as second-class citizens of Northern Ireland."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
31 October 2013
Equality Commission Enters LGBT Debate
Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has told the BBC that Stormont needs to take action to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people living in Northern Ireland. The Commission was reacting to the continued vetoing by the DUP of votes on the subject of gay marriage at Stormont.
Equality Commission Enters LGBT Debate
Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has told the BBC that Stormont needs to take action to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people living in Northern Ireland. The Commission was reacting to the continued vetoing by the DUP of votes on the subject of gay marriage at Stormont.
09 May 2019
Thousands Set To March In Belfast For Marriage Equality
Campaigners in Northern Ireland are planning a major march and rally for marriage equality in Belfast next week, Saturday 18 May, as political talks aimed at restoring devolved government continue. The Love Equality campaign comes in the wake of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee by dissident republicans in L'Derry last month.
Thousands Set To March In Belfast For Marriage Equality
Campaigners in Northern Ireland are planning a major march and rally for marriage equality in Belfast next week, Saturday 18 May, as political talks aimed at restoring devolved government continue. The Love Equality campaign comes in the wake of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee by dissident republicans in L'Derry last month.
21 October 2019
Stormont: Attempt To Halt Abortion Reform Blocked
The first sitting of the Stormont Assembly in almost three years today saw a last-ditch attempt to halt the decriminalisation of abortion blocked. MLAs returned to the chamber at 1pm on Monday 21 October, with the DUP, UUP, SDLP, TUV Leader Jim Allister and Independent member for East L'Derry Claire Sugden taking their seats.
Stormont: Attempt To Halt Abortion Reform Blocked
The first sitting of the Stormont Assembly in almost three years today saw a last-ditch attempt to halt the decriminalisation of abortion blocked. MLAs returned to the chamber at 1pm on Monday 21 October, with the DUP, UUP, SDLP, TUV Leader Jim Allister and Independent member for East L'Derry Claire Sugden taking their seats.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another mild night, it will remain largely cloudy through the evening and overnight. Staying mainly dry but perhaps a little drizzle towards Down and Antrim. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
