Finally, after five years of campaigning in Northern Ireland, it’s now legal for individuals of the same-sex to get married. Starting in January 2020, couples can register to marry; then, the first ceremonies will take place in February.
Couples who are married already will now have their marriage legally recognized. However, those who already are in a civil partnership will not be able to convert it to a marriage. Consultations about converting civil partnerships and the role of churches in same-sex marriages are set to begin later this year by the Northern Ireland Office.
Campaigning For Equality
Campaigners of marriage equality turned their focus to Westminster when the Stormont assembly collapsed. MPs backed amendments in July 2019, which required the government to extend same-sex marriage and abortion laws to Northern Ireland if devolution was not restored by 21 October 2019.
MP Conor McGinn made an amendment to Northern Ireland, stating that the government had to make same-sex marriage legal. “Everyone who values equality, love, and respect can celebrate today,” said Mr. McGinn.
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International said:
It’s a historic day for equality and human rights in Northern Ireland. For too long, LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland have been treated as second-class citizens. So, today is an incredible moment for same-sex couples who can finally marry and have their relationships recognized as equal.
Years Of Campaigning
Since 2014, England, Scotland, and Wales have allowed same-sex marriages, but Northern Ireland didn’t legalize them. For the first time, a vote on the issue in the devolved assembly resulted in a significant number in favor of same-sex marriage in November 2015. However, the DUP used a veto known as the Petition of Concern to block a change in the law.
John O’Doherty, from the campaign of Love Equality, said:
This was the culmination of five years of campaigning for marriage equality and marks an enormous step forward for LGBT+ people. We celebrate this remarkable achievement with the thousands of people who made their voices heard and demanded change in spite of the many barriers placed in their way.
Furthermore, since couples in Northern Ireland have to indicate their intention to marry 28 days before doing so, the first weddings will be held in the week of Valentine’s Day.
