Northern Ireland Legalises Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage is now lawful and recognized in Northern Ireland, beginning from Monday January 13, following amendments reached by the United Kingdom’s members of parliament.

An amendment had been made to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 by the Labour MP, Conor McGinn, who said that government needed to legislate for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, as obtained in other parts of the kingdom.

It took effect from 13 January, 2020 based on the provisions in the Executive formation Act, which mandates same-sex marriage.

BBC reports that the verdict ensures that same-sex couples will be able to register to marry; those already married would be legally recognized in Northern Ireland but those who are already in a civil partnership will not be able to convert it to a marriage at this stage.

Same-sex marriage is legally practiced (nationwide or in some jurisdictions) in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States,and Uruguay.

A very good end to the day – signing the new same sex marriage regulations for Northern Ireland. Same sex couples in NI will now be able to marry by Valentine’s Day 2020. pic.twitter.com/gAeUy6f9Jw

— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) December 19, 2019