It is over two-and-a-half years since the Northern Ireland Assembly last sat. In that time, many issues have come and gone, and many more are threatening the public services in Northern Ireland through the inaction of the main parties in … Continue reading Assembly gathers to pretend to care about Northern Ireland
On first sight this looks like a lovely commemorative coin – it’s even roughly similar to that of the UK 50 pence piece – but on closer inspection there are so may problems it is hardly believable. It’s supposed to … Continue reading Equal marriage celebrated across the UK, er GB, and Ireland…
With a new Northern Ireland Executive in office at Stormont following the recent election, it was hardly a surprise that there would be policy changes forthcoming. The new Health Minister, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill has taken a bold step and reversed the former policy … Continue reading Gay blood ban lifted by Sinn Féin Minister for Health
Just been speaking to Judith Cochrane MLA, one of three Alliance Party MLAs unable to bring themselves to be present in The Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday for the Marriage Equality vote. I asked her: “Can you tell me why you were absent from the chamber yesterday for the Equal Marriage vote?” Her response is below. I am sorry if you feel that I let you down yesterday. I have many friends in the LGBT community both in NI and further afield whom I care about deeply but who accept that I believe that marriage is between a man and a … Continue reading Judith Cochrane MLA’s answer on why she was absent from chamber for #equalmarriageni vote yesterday
On Monday 1 October there is a motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Equal Marriage: That this Assembly believes that all couples, including those of the same sex, should have the right to marry in the eyes of the … Continue reading A message to all the MLAs in Stormont #equalmarriage #religiousfreedom
The Equal Marriage debate in the UK appears to be dividing the country if we were to believe the hype. However, as Conservative MP for Henley, John Howell says on Conservative Home, there will be wider benefits to the country if we legislate and have marriage equality. As Gary Spedding has said in a letter to the Belfast Telegraph, we’re not looking for a separate category of ‘gay marriage’ we’re looking for equal marriage. It’s not that difficult to understand. Recently, I watched Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me on BBC iPlayer. Had Frankie Howerd and Dennis Haymer been able … Continue reading Equal marriage: why is this so hard?
With Belfast City Council voting in favour of equal rights with regard to marriage in the city of Belfast, it was refreshing to read a statement from the Chaplain of Pembroke College, Oxford: Civil Partnerships and Pembroke College Chapel The Governing Body and chaplain are dedicated to the mission of the chapel as fully including the whole college community, past and present, staff, students, and fellows. Same sex couples are most welcome to approach the chaplain with regard to preparation, celebration, and prayers when entering a Civil Partnership and for continuing support and counsel within their relationship as any other … Continue reading Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford
Last night, Belfast City Council became the first council in Northern Ireland to support marriage equality. The Council voted in favour of the motion [proposed by Sinn Féin, supported by SDLP councillors and one Alliance councillor1]: This Council supports the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Belfast regardless of race, religion or sexuality. However, as my friend Stephen Glenn so rightly says, that the Council voted in favour “isn’t all the story”. For there were no votes against, not because all councillors were in favour of the motion but, rather, because the Unionist councillors left … Continue reading Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…
Given the announcement last week of my engagement to Andrew, and that our civil partnership and covenant of commitment will be over the weekend Fri 6 to Sunday 8 May, 2010, posting will be lighter than it has been in recent months. We have a lot to organise. And yet not as much as you would think. But, it is going to take some coordination to bring it all together. Some posting will continue. I will be back. Related Articles Coalition ministers consider gay marriage plans (telegraph.co.uk) Will you “civil partnership” me? (Ooops–is that “heterophobic”?) [Andrew Woolley (Family law)] (ecademy.com) Continue reading posting may be light – 15 weeks
It is not a member-run organisation. It does not give the opportunity to LGBT people to come together. Guess who? Got it yet? Yup. Once again Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall – this time at meeting of LGBT Labour at Labour Party Conference in Manchesteras reported in Pink News. So, quite what is the point of becoming a member? LGBT Labour have managed to have a meeting and vote in favour of gay marriage – so why can’t Stonewall manage to sort this out? It is good to see that some members of HM Loyal Opposition seem to be … Continue reading Quote of the Day – #moreBS
Gyronny Herald 