Friday 23 October 2020
Green Party Deputy leader Malachai O’Hara has welcomed the long awaited realisation of full marriage equality in Northern Ireland.
Malachai O’Hara commented as the regulations were laid in Westminster which will allow same-sex couples in Northern Ireland who are in Civil Partnerships to convert to marriage and those in marriage to convert to Civil Partnerships.
"This is the final piece in the jigsaw in achieving marriage equality. While marriage equality was introduced last year by Westminster while Stormont was suspended, those in Civil Partnerships could not yet convert to marriages. Over 1,000 couples in Civil Partnerships will now be able to convert from 7th December 2020.
"I am the former Vice-Chair of the Equal Marriage campaign and as a gay man in a Civil Partnership, I'm delighted to see this change finally happen. I want to pay tribute to all of those that have fought long and hard to achieve this victory. The organisations, individuals, our families, friends and allies all deserve huge credit for getting us to this point.
Malachai O’Hara continued,
"Today is another day to celebrate a milestone achievement. The Green Party brought the first motion on marriage equality back in 2012. We did because it was right, regardless of whether it was popular or not. However, let's not forget that there is still much to be done to improve the lives of LGBTQ people in Northern Ireland."
ENDS
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