Northern Ireland and same-sex marriage rights

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/28/northern-ireland-samesex-marriage-rights

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The equal marriage referendum result in the Irish Republic (Report, 25 May) means we should look at the rights of people in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. First, people can identify as British, Irish or both, so the decision by 62% of the people in the republic does, as similar legislation in Scotland, England and Wales before it, impact on most LGBT people here. Section 75 and schedule 9 of the act placed a statutory obligation on public authorities in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity, including between people of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation. Northern Ireland is already failing to recognise the marital status of all marriages carried out in the UK, only allowing those who have had a same-sex marriage to be recognised as civil partners.

On Saturday night, after the result of the referendum and Eurovision, there were LGBT people of all identities out and about in the LGBT area, all delighted with the result. Now we need all politicians, whether they be unionist, nationalist or other to uphold their statutory obligations. With different political and religious beliefs on whether same-sex couples should enjoy the ability to marry, these need to be reflected. Now the British, Irish or Bothness LGBT communities are calling out to have the same equality of opportunity as anyone who holds their passport(s): for the law to allow them to marry the person they love.Stephen GlennExecutive committee member, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, Bangor

• According to many commentators, the huge yes vote marks another milestone in Ireland’s journey towards a more liberal, secular society. But many who voted yes to same-sex marriage, did so because they are Catholic, not in spite of being Catholic. It was the very nature of their true Catholic Christian faith, which puts love of neighbour first, over archaic, gender-exalting, patriarchal doctrine, that prompted a yes vote. I am even more proud to be an Irish citizen: the Irish people voted yes to love, yes to equality, and yes to marriage for all, because they truly do love their neighbour, as Christ taught.Rebekah Reville JoyLondon