Speaking ahead of tonight’s midnight legalisation of same sex marriage and the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey said:
“This is a hugely important moment for both reproductive health care and marriage equality on our island. It’s a significant step towards a fairer and more inclusive and compassionate Northern Ireland.
“From midnight tonight, abortion in the North will be decriminalised, removing the fear of imprisonment for women, girls and all those seeking basic healthcare. Tonight will also witness the long-overdue legalisation of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, almost exactly four years since same sex marriage was legalised in the Republic.”
Ms Bailey, who campaigned for marriage equality and was the co-ordinator of the Social Democrats’ campaign for the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, added:
“I know the massive efforts that our fellow campaigners in the North have gone to over the years to highlight the injustice and indignity of the status quo until now when it comes to marriage equality and abortion law reform. Tonight’s legal changes are momentous, even more so as they were secured in the absence of a functioning Executive and Assembly.”
ENDS
21st October 2019