Northern Ireland Finally Gets Religious Same-Sex Marriages
Effective from September 2020, same-sex religious marriages can take place in Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriages were legally recognised in Northern Ireland In January this year but that did not extend to ceremonies in churches or religious bodies.
There are, however, exemptions and protections for religious bodies that do not wish to conduct same-sex marriages.
Teacher Rebecca McKinley and her partner of six years youth worker, Katie Broadhurst, plan to have a religious wedding next year.
Rebecca told the ‘BBC’s' Evening Extra programme that for them not to have the choice of having a religious wedding ceremony felt unfair and stopped them from exploring their religion freely.
“We would certainly never ask a church to marry us if that's not what they felt their belief was,” she said.
“I think there's real value in diversity of beliefs and opinions, but it felt unfair that we couldn't exercise our freedom to explore that option, or choose it.”
A UK government spokesperson said: “The regulations ensure appropriate protections and exemptions are in place for those religious bodies and officiants who do not wish to solemnise same-sex religious marriages.
“The regulations deliver equivalent rights and protections to the rest of the UK in practice.”
Same-sex marriage campaigners have welcomed the move. However they are now urging the government to make marriage fully equal by allowing same-sex couples with an existing civil partnership to be able to convert their partnership into a marriage.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Director said it was “a landmark day for equality in Northern Ireland”.
“After a long campaign, same-sex couples of faith will finally be able to marry in a church or other religious setting,” he said.
Corrigan welcomed the fact the new law will protect religious freedom and that churches will not be “compelled nor prevented” from offering same-sex ceremonies.
“We now urge the government to finish the job of marriage equality in Northern Ireland without further delay, by allowing couples in civil partnerships to convert to married status if they so wish,” he added.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Same-Sex Couple To Make History In Northern Ireland As First LGBT+ Married Couple
Same Sex Marriage Legalised In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland On The Verge Of Gay Marriage And Abortion Changes
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
