Lgbt rights in northern ireland
Northern Ireland court rules gay marriage ban doesn&#;t violate rights
Northern Ireland's refusal to recognise same-sex marriage does not violate the rights of couples affected, the Belfast High Court ruled on Thursday (17 August), in a blow to campaigners in the only part of the United Kingdom that bans gay marriage.
The case was brought by three same-sex couples, backed by campaigners who are trying to pressure the region's largest party, the socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to reverse its veto on same-sex marriage.
The judge, Justice O'Hara, said the refusal to allow same- sex marriages in Northern Ireland was not a contravention of human rights "because that right does not exist."
O'Hara said it was up to Northern Ireland's devolved government to decide on the issue and that a ban on gay marriage did not violate international human rights standards.
He said the European Court of Human Rights had ruled that the right to gay marriage was not a right under the European Convention on Human Rights.
"It is not difficult to understand how gay
On 11th February , nearly a century after the partition of Ireland, the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place between Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards-Peoples. The Belfast ceremony followed the enactment of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act , a measure occasioned by a suspended Northern Ireland Executive, Westminster intercession, and inspired by human rights concerns.
This uniformity of standards across the United Kingdom was overdue, marking some six years since equal marriage had been legitimized in England, Wales, and Scotland. Marriage equality in Northern Ireland likewise lagged behind the equivalent ruling south of the Irish border, which had been provided for by general referendum in
Robyn Peoples (left) and Sharni Edwards make a toast during their wedding in Loughshore hotel in Carrickfergus. Photograph: Mark Marlow/EPA courtesy of The Guardian, 11th February
This was not the first time that ‘external’ governance would force Northern Ireland to shift its stance on LGBTQ+ rights. In , fifteen years after the Sexual Offences A
LGBTQ+ Collection
4 University Street
4 University Street, or ‘Number 4’ as it became known, served as the gay centre for Belfast from early in to October The vacant and derelict house was ‘loaned’ to the Gay Liberation Society by Queen’s University Belfast.
It housed the Cara-Friend helpline as well as other LGBTQ+ organisations. This helpline still runs today, though Cara Friend is now based in Waring Street. The organisation works to support the community in a range of ways, from work with regional LGBTQ+ youth groups across the country to delivering awareness training, along with policy and advocacy work.
Northern Gay NIGRA News
In the British Government passed the Sexual Offences Act, but only extended its remit to England and Wales. In the face of rising discrimination, the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association was born.
Their publication, Northern Gay NIGRA News, amount just 10p and covered issues such as the campaign for decriminalisation, the establishment of the Pride parades in the s and advice for juvenile LGBTQ+ people. The theme for this first issue is 'Comin
LGBT Policy
The Department for Communities has policy responsibility for sexual orientation and transgender issues. We are committed to working to ensure that Northern Ireland is a diverse, inclusive and supportive society.
Research
The census in Northern Ireland create that % of the population aged 16 and over identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other (LGB+). Discrimination and prejudice based on a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity can create barriers to their full participation in public life. This can lead to social isolation, not fulfilling their potential and, ultimately, to poorer levels of mental and/or physical well-being.
The Report by the Sexual Orientation Strategy Expert Advisory Panel outlines the key issues affecting the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex communities.
Ending Conversion Therapy Practices
Work is ongoing within the Department, supported by engagement with stakeholders, in command to bring policy proposals for a ban on so-called conversion practices