This Monday marks a historic day for Northern Ireland: same-sex marriage is now legally recognised. The Northern Ireland Act forced laws to introduce same-sex marriage to be in force by 13 January. The first ceremonies will reportedly take place in February.
Activists across the country are celebrating the landmark change in law. Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill tweeted that today “belongs to all of you that have campaigned relentlessly for LGBTQ+ rights for decades,” adding that it was a “historic day for equality.”
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International similarly said it was a “historic day for equality and human rights in Northern Ireland.” He argued that “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 recognised as equal.”
Marriage equality campaigners started turning their focus to Westminster when the Stormont power sharing assembly collapsed three years ago. In July 2019, MPs supported amendments which required a change in abortion laws and extend abortion laws to Northern Ireland if devolution was not restored by 21 October 2019.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in England, Scotland, and Wales since 2014. In Ireland it became legal in 2015.
