SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has issued a call to MPs from all parties to support an amendment tabled by Labour MP Conor McGinn that would secure Marriage Equality in the North of Ireland if devolution cannot be restored.
The SDLP has been working with Mr McGinn on this issue for a long time.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland has endured state sponsored discrimination for far too long.
“It is to our shame that public representatives here have been unable to create the space where two people can have their love recognised by their family, friends and in the eyes of the law in marriage.
“Where we have failed, others now have the opportunity to send a powerful message of hope and acceptance to our LGBT+ community that the love they share is as equal as any other.
“I am calling on MPs from all parties to contribute to the liberation of the North of Ireland’s LGBT+ citizens by supporting the amendment to the NI Executive Formation Bill tabled by Conor McGinn.
“The SDLP has been working with Conor on this for a very long time.
“He has done an immense amount of work alongside the Love Equality coalition to deliver this basic civil right.
“We know that the discrimination faced by members of the LGBT+ community doesn’t begin and end at Marriage.
“The SDLP will continue to press for stronger laws to protect children from homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in our schools.
“We’ll continue to campaign for equal access to healthcare including drugs and treatments that will save lives and improve quality of life.
“And we’ll continue to support our trans community in the pursuit of gender recognition legislation that meets their needs.
“But for today, this is a fight that we can win.
“I would encourage all MPs to deliver Marriage Equality for a community that has fought hard and refuses to be treated as second class any longer,” added the SDLP leader.
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