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NORTHERN IRELAND: Stormont rejects gay marriage for third time
April 29, 2014
The Northern Ireland Assembly has rejected gay marriage by an outright majority for the third time.
MLAs voted 51 to 43 today against redefining marriage at Stormont.
Pro-traditional marriage campaigners say those pushing for a change should “take the hint”.
Political elite
Callum Webster, a spokesman for The Christian Institute, said: “The people of Northern Ireland are clearly opposed to redefining marriage and it’s only the political elite who are trying to force the change on the Province.”
“Elected representatives have voted three times in less than two years to keep marriage between a man and a woman, so those pushing for gay marriage should take the hint.”
“Just because politicians in Westminster have ridden roughshod over the opinions of hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens and redefined marriage, doesn’t mean Northern Ireland needs to follow suit”.
Legislation
The private member’s motion in support of same-sex marriage was tabled by six MLAs from the Alliance, Sinn Fein and the Green parties, and called on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce gay marriage legislation.
MLAs rejected same-sex marriage last year by 53 votes to 42, and in 2012 the plans were voted down 50 to 45.
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