Gay Rights in Northern Ireland

On July 17th 2013 the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill received Royal Assent becoming the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. However this only allows civil marriage for same sex couples in England and Wales.

When Northern Ireland was proposed with the question "Westminster has legalised same sex marriage, although churches have the legal right to refuse to perform the ceremonies. Should this law be extended to Northern Ireland" 30% voted no, 27% voted yes and 43% had no opinion.

It is of my belief that the most alarming statistic is that 43% of the population of Northern Ireland have no opinion, I believe that we need to provide education on gay rights and marriage, starting in high school. In order for the people to have an opinion we need to educate them.

Of those who voted, in the age group of 18-24 year olds 43% said yes and 21% said no, whereas in the age group of 65%+ year olds 12% said yes and 43% said no. This statistic shows us that the young people in our country are embracing life with an open mind and if we add the education of gay rights to the school curriculum we can give them a push even further into the right direction.

14 countries have legalised gay marriage, lets work together to make Northern Ireland the next.

For more information on gay rights and to help support the cause visit http://www.straightbutnotnarrow.org/

J.B.