Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020, will be the date of the first same-sex weddings in Northern Ireland, Love Equality campaigners have confirmed with UK Government Ministers.
The legalisation of same-sex marriages in the region is due to come into effect on January 13 2020, and with couples having to wait the standard 28 days to elapse after they submit their notice of intention to marry, the first same-sex weddings are expected to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day.
In July, Parliament voted to pass the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act, which obliges the Government to act if the devolved Northern Ireland Executive has not been re-established by October 21 2019.
Patrick Corrigan confirmed the February 14 date in a meeting last week in Westminster with Northern Ireland Office Ministers Lord Duncan and Robin Walker. Lord Duncan confirmed the date in a debate in the House of Lords last night.
First same-sex weddings in Northern Ireland set for Valentine’s Day https://t.co/S5IUX9H4Oe pic.twitter.com/dMYcXip0jd
— Love Equality NI (@Love_EqualityNI) September 10, 2019
Speaking in the House of Lords last night, Northern Ireland Office Minister Lord Duncan of Springbank said: “Get ready for Valentine’s Day, because that is when they can do it. I can think of no better time than Valentine’s Day.”
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, part of the Love Equality campaign for marriage equality, said:
“There could be no more fitting date for Northern Ireland’s first same-sex weddings than Valentine’s Day, the feast of love.
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“We are now working closely with Government ministers and officials to ensure that the legislative obligations are met, in time and in full, so that couples here can start to enjoy the same rights as elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.
“We now look forward to the sound of Valentine’s Day wedding bells.
“We thank everyone who has worked with us and supported this campaign – especially Conor McGinn MP and Lord Robert Hayward for their steadfast commitment to the cause of equality.”
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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