MPs voted to push through equal marriage in Northern Ireland – our 12 favourite responses
In a vote on whether to extend Westminster’s powers while Stormont, the Northern Irish Assembly, is failing to function, two important amendments were overwhelmingly supported by MPs: one allowing women the opportunity to seek abortions in their own country and the other to allow equal marriage. The amendments only carry any weight if Stormont is still out of action by the end of October, so we’re all eagerly watching to see what the DUP do next.
Thank you to everyone who today stood up for equality in Northern Ireland – whether for same sex marriage or abortion, today we have said everyone in the UK deserves to be treated as an equal. There’s a road to go yet but today a big step forward #TheNorthISNext #LoveEquality
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) July 9, 2019
Over on Twitter, there was much jubilation that LGBT+ people in N.I. might finally have the same rights as in the rest of the UK. These were our favourite reactions.
1.
Northern Ireland done a gay
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) July 9, 2019
2.
We now go live to frightful, bigoted hatebag Arlene Foster pic.twitter.com/TfzXq7EoHs
— 🏳️🌈 Max 🏳️🌈 (@SpillerOfTea) July 9, 2019
3.
Ally #equalmarriage 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/6cMxdeUm6y
— The Sun Apologies (@SunApology) July 9, 2019
4.
I admire the DUP’s approach to Conservatism: From conception to birth you are something precious to be treasured, from birth to death you can go fuck yourself. #NowForNI #equalmarriage
— Not Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) July 9, 2019
5.
Everyone in NI yesterday:
GIVE US A GOVERNMENTEveryone in NI today:
NOT YET #NowForNI #MarriageEquality— Laura (@ElleEmSee) July 9, 2019
6.
#NowForNI – a huge, emotional day amid depressing news cycles which seem like basic rights are being rolled backwards. Congratulations & thank you to all the women & men working tirelessly & campaigning for equality… https://t.co/VbsvXXx6i0
— Aisling Bea (@WeeMissBea) July 9, 2019
7.
Scenes of jubilation at Westminster as MPs vote to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland. #equalmarriage #NowForNI pic.twitter.com/jjndD4myFZ
— Joseph Nawaz (@joenawaz) July 9, 2019
8.
Today's Northern Ireland news in three panels pic.twitter.com/mDdTGHn0AF
— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@iresimpsonsfans) July 9, 2019
9.
Scuse me while I go and marry every cute guy in Northern Ireland
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) July 9, 2019
10.
Arlene is going to be absolutely spitting chips, isn't she?
Sometimes dinosaurs really do need to be flattened.#equalmarriage
— Beau (@DrBeauBeaumont) July 9, 2019
11.
Disgusted that HoC have voted for #equalmarriage in Northern Ireland. I was enjoying living in the past.
— Tim Mc Garry (@Tim_Mc_Garry) July 9, 2019
12.
all I can say is… uppa queers, uppa bodily autonomy, and fuck the DUP #equalmarriage #nowforNI
— Alexa Moore (@alexadotm) July 9, 2019
However, the news brought a bitter-sweet moment for Sara Canning, the partner of journalist and LGBT+ rights campaigner, Lyra McKee, who was killed in April.
Heartbreaking, poignant, powerful.
Sara Canning, partner of Lyra McKee, says the passing of same-sex marriage amendment is "absolutely momentous" But:
"heartbroken as the person I wanted to marry isn't here to see it happen"#equalmarriage #NowForNI 🕊pic.twitter.com/4pxE7qbZ0U
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) July 9, 2019
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