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Northern Ireland left behind on gay marriage issue, say Belfast marchers Northern Ireland left behind on gay marriage issue, say Belfast marchers
(34 minutes later)
Northern Ireland has been left behind in the struggle for gay equality, the Irish trade union movement said on Saturday, as thousands marched to call for the recognition of gay marriage. Northern Ireland has been left behind in the struggle for gay equality, the Irish trade union movement said on Saturday, as thousands marched in Belfast to call for the recognition of same-sex marriage.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) pointed out that the province once led the way in terms of rights for same-sex partners.The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) pointed out that the province once led the way in terms of rights for same-sex partners.
“In 2005, history was made when Northern Ireland became the first place in the UK to hold a civil partnership. Ten years later, with every other part of these islands recognising marriage equality, citizens in Northern Ireland have effectively been left behind,” the ICTU said.“In 2005, history was made when Northern Ireland became the first place in the UK to hold a civil partnership. Ten years later, with every other part of these islands recognising marriage equality, citizens in Northern Ireland have effectively been left behind,” the ICTU said.
The demonstration through central Belfast to City Hall was part of a campaign by local gay rights organisations and human rights groups for the law to be changed in the province. Among those marching was the Snow Patrol lead singer, Gary Lightbody. The demonstration through central Belfast to city hall was part of a campaign by local gay rights organisations and human rights groups for the province’s law to be changed. Among those marching was Snow Patrol’s lead singer, Gary Lightbody.
Amnesty International said the region was now the “last bastion of discrimination against gay people in these islands”.Amnesty International said the region was now the “last bastion of discrimination against gay people in these islands”.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s regional director, said: “Northern Ireland’s discriminatory laws are a badge of shame, not to be worn by the people of Northern Ireland, a majority of whom support same-sex marriage, but by those politicians who oppose equal treatment for the LGBTI community.”Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty’s regional director, said: “Northern Ireland’s discriminatory laws are a badge of shame, not to be worn by the people of Northern Ireland, a majority of whom support same-sex marriage, but by those politicians who oppose equal treatment for the LGBTI community.”
In April, a Sinn Féin motion on marriage equality fell, with 47 Northern Ireland assembly members voting in support, but 49 unionists voting against. Even if there had been a small majority in favour, the DUP would have exercised a special veto drawn up under devolution. In April, a Sinn Féin motion on marriage equality was defeated, with 47 Northern Ireland assembly members voting in support, but 49 unionists voting against. Even if there had been a small majority in favour, the DUP would have exercised a special veto drawn up under devolution.
The so-called petition of concern allows any party to veto legislation if it can argue the law would not have sufficient cross-community/Protestant-Catholic support. The so-called petition of concern allows any party to veto legislation if it can argue the law would not have sufficient cross-community or Protestant-Catholic support.
The Rainbow Project, one of Northern Ireland’s main gay rights organisations, has confirmed that a gay couple are planning a legal case to use the courts to overturn the ban on gay marriage in the region. The Rainbow Project, one of Northern Ireland’s main gay rights organisations, has confirmed that a gay couple are planning a legal case in an effort to overturn the ban on gay marriage in the region.
Among those to back the call for marriage equality in Northern Ireland was Belfast Olympic boxing medalist Paddy Barnes. “I’m hoping to be married myself and I believe that everyone should be able to marry the person they love; it’s as simple as that,” he said. Among those to back the call for marriage equality in Northern Ireland was Belfast’s Olympic boxing medalist Paddy Barnes. “I’m hoping to be married myself and I believe that everyone should be able to marry the person they love. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
Other Northern Irish celebrities to voice their support for the campaign were singer Brian Kennedy and actors Stephen Rea and Bronagh Gallagher. Other Northern Irish celebrities to have voiced their support for the campaign include the singer Brian Kennedy and the actors Stephen Rea and Bronagh Gallagher.
The demonstration took place just three weeks after the Irish Republic’s electorate voted decisively in favour of gay marriage equality in the first national referendum of its kind. The demonstration took place just three weeks after the Irish electorate voted decisively in favour of gay marriage equality in the first national referendum of its kind.
Pro-gay marriage campaigners point out that the different legal status of same-sex couples on either side of the Irish border will create legal anomalies. Pro-gay marriage campaigners point out that the different legal status of same-sex couples on either side of the Irish border will create anomalies.
A gay couple, for instance, married in Dublin later this year who have to relocate for work or family reasons to Belfast would not have their marriage recognised in law if they settled in Northern Ireland. A gay couple married in Dublin who have to relocate to Belfast, for example, would not have their marriage recognised in law if they settled there.