Civil partnerships: PM should act now on marriage equality for Northern Ireland

Amnesty International has welcomed Theresa May’s announcement that all couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership and called on her to end the block on marriage equality for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland.

 

Patrick Corrigan, Head of Nations and Regions of Amnesty International UK, said:

 

“The Prime Minister’s announcement that the government will make civil partnerships available to opposite sex couples in England and Wales is a welcome step towards equality for all couples in the UK.

 

“However, it also serves as a reminder that her government has refused to act to end discrimination against same-sex couples in Northern Ireland, who are still denied the right to marry, a right available to every other couple in the UK and Ireland.

 

“Later this month, Conor McGinn MP’s private member’s bill on equal marriage for Northern Ireland will come before the House of Commons for second reading. Theresa May should show that she is a true friend of the LGBT+ community by getting behind this bill and finally righting this wrong.

 

“The vast majority of people and politicians in Northern Ireland want to see marriage equality. The Prime Minister should demonstrate that she does too.”