Northern Ireland Politicians to Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Again
A new motion endorsing same-sex marriage will soon be debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly later this month even though Members of the Legislative Assembly denied such a move in the fall of last year.
During the previous debate held last October, Northern Ireland's Finance Minister explained that he saw no widespread public support on the issue of redefining marriage.
"I am opposed to gay marriage, I would have no intention of bringing forward any legislation to this House to facilitate gay marriage and I believe that in doing that I do reflect what is the general view in this society in Northern Ireland," Finance Minister Sammy Wilson stated.
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The motion to "to bring forward the necessary legislation to allow for same sex marriage" was put forth by a few members of the Sinn Fein, an Irish republican party that translates to "we ourselves," and is scheduled to be debated by the Irish parliament at Stormont on April 29.
The news comes a day after New Zealand passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, making the island nation the latest country to redefine marriage.
"In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal– it's a declaration of love and commitment to a special person," said Labour MP Louisa Wall, the openly homosexual politician who introduced the bill. "Nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill."
Many conservatives have said that the bill goes against long held traditional beliefs. Conservative Party leader Colin Craig said many citizens do not agree with redefining marriage.
"We're seeing the politicians make a decision tonight that the people of this country wouldn't make," Craig said.
The bill passed with 77 votes in favor and 44 against, BBC News reported.
"Changing the legal definition and therefore the meaning of the word marriage doesn't change what it has always been– a unique covenant between a man and a woman," Christian lobby group New Zealanders for Marriage previously said in a statement.
