ALL the LATEST, in the NEWS THAT MATTERS “Prejudice in any form erodes our vision of a society which is fair for all.” - Stephen Agnew - Leader of The Green Party.
the DUP have infuriatingly chosen to continue to discriminate against LGBT peoples here in Northern Ireland and hinder any chances at achieving equality for all. Incidents like this one make it seem unlikely the DUP will ever understand the LGBT movement. The party’s notoriously homophobic stance is evidently going to be a major roadblock on our journey for equality. The UUP have taken a different stance on the issue. UUP party leader Mike Nesbitt said that his party’s position on gay marriage was that it was a “matter of personal conscience” however this has only meant that his members have overwhelmingly and consistently voted against or abstained from voting on the issue. There is also a slight worry that there was a parallel motion tabled in the name of the leader of the UUP Mike Nesbitt (left) and his party colleague Danny Kinahan. The title for a start show a lack of understanding of the issues, theirs instead of being called Equal Marriage is called Same Sex Marriage. The SDLP party won’t have an official position until after its party conference in November, although after recent public displays of support from the likes of Conal McDevitt (pictured left), SDLP MLA for South Belfast, we can be hopeful the party will come down in favour of the proposals. In September The Alliance Party also joined the equal marriage campaign following months of consultation but party Leader David Ford wanted to ensure that his proposals would include safeguards for religious groups so they would not be forced
into allowing their premises to be used. Mr Ford added - “Alliance will oppose any form of discrimination, whether it is based on age, race, disability, gender or sexual orientation. There are equality issues in allowing those in a same sex relationship to have only civil partnerships, which is seen as discriminatory. “ All we can be sure of from today’s discussions in parliament is that things are headed in a more positive direction and we have opened up constructive dialogue amongst our political parties and MLAs. There isn’t going to be anything spectacular happening in the short term with no Executive move to legislate on the matter and no prospect of one while the DUP wield a veto. We do however need to recognise the gradual changes and improvements being made within our assembly and these could be the first steps to a more tolerant Northern Ireland and a society we can all share together.
In a bid to support the MLAs who have tabled today’s motion – the Equal Marriage NI Campaigning group is calling upon all supporters and members of the NI LGBT Community to attend a demonstration being held at Parliament Buildings at 1.45 this afternoon. Online viewers can click HERE to visit the Equal Marriage NI Campaigning group on facebook for their most up to date information...
#EMNI
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