A marriage equality rally will be held today, August 19, in Derry’s Newmarket Street at 2 pm just days after a judge refused to legalise same-sex marriages.
During a recent visit to the North and after attending an LGBT breakfast ahead of the Belfast Pride parade, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was only a matter of time before same-sex marriages were legalised in the North.
Sinn Fein Foyle MP Elisha McCallion said she was bitterly disappointed at the judgement in Belfast High Court earlier this week.
She attended the hearing with party colleagues Chris Hazzard MP and Carál Ní Chuilín MLA.
Ahead of today’s marriage equality rally, Elisha McCallion said the fight for marriage equality goes on.
“We are obviously disappointed by this decision and we know that the couples involved in this case are looking at grounds for appeal,” said the Foyle MP.
“I want to pay tribute to them and offer our continuing best wishes.
“However, people should not have to resort to the courts in order to access rights, which are available across western Europe.
“Equal marriage should have been enacted in the north a long time ago.
“But it has been consistently denied because of the actions of the DUP in particular – in defiance of wider public opinion and a majority in the Assembly.
“The ongoing denial of rights by the DUP, with the support of the British government, which are enjoyed by citizens rights across these islands is unacceptable.
“This is an issue which is at the heart of the current political crisis.
“The fight for marriage equality will go on.
“We need to see the implementation of agreements and an end to discrimination if we are to have sustainable political institutions.”