Religious same sex marriage welcomed

The newly announced changes - introduced in law in July and which came into effect on Tuesday of this week - will mean same sex couples can now make preparations if they wish to get married in a religious ceremony.

Minister of State for Northern Ireland Robin Walker introduced the reworked regulations over the summer. However under these regulations, churches will not be required to offer same-sex weddings if they do not wish to do so.

Ms. Anderson said she welcomed this further step towards full marriage equality but said that additional steps are needed to guarantee equality for all.

The Foyle MLA said on Tuesday: “I welcome today’s development that will see couples being able to make arrangements to have a religious marriage ceremony.

“Couples planning on getting married will be able to give notice of their intent to have a religious marriage.

“While today’s move is welcome, further progress is needed towards full equality.

“Couples who are in an existing civil partnership should now be able to convert their partnership into a marriage.

“There should be no barriers in place to allow couples who love each other to get married and to enjoy the same rights as everyone else.”

Same-sex marriage equality was extended to the north in July 2019 after a vote in the House of Commons while Stormont was suspended.

This came two years after marriage equality was introduced in the south following a referendum.

Due to statutory waiting periods, the earliest that any same sex religious ceremony can take place in the north will be September 29.