Though polls over the years have shown the Northern Irish people to be in favour of progression, the country has been bound by the whims of the Evangelical-leaning DUP, its largest party.
If the deadline passes, a new progressive law for marriage equality will have to come into force by January 2020. If Stormont (Northern Ireland’s parliament) does not reestablish itself before October 21, the UK will commit to liberalising the laws. But social evolution is within reach – in a recent, revolutionary vote, British MPs voted overwhelmingly to extend same-sex marriage and abortion access to NI. It’s a particularly poignant march this year, as it could be the last Pride before same-sex marriage becomes law in Northern Ireland – a historic, progressive move many never thought possible in tempestuous times.įor now, Northern Ireland is the only region in the British Isles, Ireland, and Crown dependencies without marriage equality. 2019’s Pride parade in Belfast drew in thousands – a vibrant, song-filled crowd where drag queens mingle with grannies and their terriers, mums and their gay sons march arm-in-arm, couples and groups of pals dance along with rainbow flags on their cheeks, on their clothes, and on their protest banners.
