Northern Ireland has announced that same-sex marriage is now legal after an October 2019 Westminster bill changed the law, five years after other provinces in the United Kingdom, allowed the civil ceremony.
The law comes into force on Monday 13 January, 2020 with same-sex couples now allowed to register to marry in the country, and those who are already married will have their union recognised by law.
The first same-sex weddings are expected to take place in February as couples have to indicate their intention to marry 28 days before getting married.
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The new law brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK including England, Scotland and Wales who all made same-sex marriages legal since 2014.
Speaking to BBC News NI, Mr McGinn said ‘everyone who values equality, love and respect can celebrate today’.
‘It’s a good day for Northern Ireland, an important day for citizens’ rights across these islands and an exciting day for same-sex couples who can now register to marry,’ he said.
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International said it was a ‘historic day for equality and human rights in Northern Ireland’.
‘For too long, LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland have been treated as second-class citizens. So, today is an incredible moment for same-sex couples who can finally marry and have their relationships recognised as equal,’ he said.
