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| Pro-gay marriage protests at Stormont and Derry | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Separate protests have taken place as MLAs at Stormont are set to debate a Sinn Fein call for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Northern Ireland. | |
| Pro-gay marriage protesters gathered at Stormont and in Londonderry. | |
| The DUP has already indicated an intention to use a petition of concern which is effectively a veto. | |
| However, one of the protesters, John O'Doherty, chair of the equal marriage NI campaign, said they would keep trying until they succeeded. | |
| A similar motion was defeated in the assembly last October. | |
| Speaking at the protest at Guildhall Square in Londonderry, Eamon McCann said: "I think it's tremendously important that we highlight the continued oppression of gay and lesbian and bi- and transgendered people, particularly in a society where so much was made for so many years about the need for equality. | |
| Meanwhile, Amnesty International has warned of a likely legal challenge if Northern Ireland is left as the only part of the UK without marriage rights for same-sex couples. | |
| The DUP's petition of concern would ensure that the motion would need to command a cross-community majority to succeed. | |
| 'Clear obligation' | |
| Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland programme director, said: "States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. | Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland programme director, said: "States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. |
| "That obligation is clear in international law. This means that marriage should be available to same-sex couples in Northern Ireland just as it appears it soon will be in other parts of the UK. | "That obligation is clear in international law. This means that marriage should be available to same-sex couples in Northern Ireland just as it appears it soon will be in other parts of the UK. |
| "Should politicians fail to act, there could be a straightforward legal challenge on the basis of inferior treatment of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland with regards to the right to marry and found a family." | "Should politicians fail to act, there could be a straightforward legal challenge on the basis of inferior treatment of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland with regards to the right to marry and found a family." |
| Mr Corrigan believes such a legal challenge seems likely and would appear to have strong grounds for success. | Mr Corrigan believes such a legal challenge seems likely and would appear to have strong grounds for success. |
| DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir confirmed the party has tabled a Petition of Concern on the motion which has been tabled by Sinn Fein. | DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir confirmed the party has tabled a Petition of Concern on the motion which has been tabled by Sinn Fein. |
| Mr Weir said: "It is only a few months since the assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time. | Mr Weir said: "It is only a few months since the assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time. |
| "It has been made very clear that same-sex marriage will not be introduced in Northern Ireland and the DUP is tabling a Petition of Concern to ensure that this motion will not be carried." | "It has been made very clear that same-sex marriage will not be introduced in Northern Ireland and the DUP is tabling a Petition of Concern to ensure that this motion will not be carried." |