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UK Wedding News

30/04/2013

NI Same-Sex Marriage Bill Defeated

A motion calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to legalise same-sex marriage has been defeated.

The motion was defeated by 53 votes to 42 on Monday.

Those against the motion included three members of the Alliance Party and 50 unionist MLAs, while those in favour included 37 nationalists and three unionists.

An amendment by the Alliance Party was also rejected in the assembly and would have emphasised the freedom of churches to practise and define marriage as they choose.

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Following the dismissal, Sinn Fein assembly member Bronwyn McGahan said she respected the religious, cultural and personal views surrounding the motion.

She said: "MLAs, regardless of religious belief, represent every section of our community, including our LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) members and this motion is about ensuring marriage equality for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.

"What churches do is a matter for churches but the state needs to treat everyone with equality."

Ahead of the debate, the DUP said it would use a petition of concern against the bill. This would ensure that the motion must command a cross-community majority to succeed.

A similar motion regarding same-sex marriage was defeated in the Assembly last October.

(JP/CD)

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"A motion calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to legalise same-sex marriage has been defeated."