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Pro-gay marriage protests at Stormont and Derry | Pro-gay marriage protests at Stormont and Derry |
(35 minutes 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | A similar motion was defeated in the assembly last October. |
Speaking at the protest at Guildhall Square in Derry, 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. | 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. | The DUP's petition of concern would ensure that the motion would need to command a cross-community majority to succeed. |
'Clear obligation' | '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. | |
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." |