‘Drag them into 21st century on gay marriage’

THERESA May is being urged to “toe the DUP into line and drag them into the 21st century” over them stopping same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. A Co Down woman is demanding the Prime Minister take action on the controversial block after a majority of MLAS voted in favour of it for the first time in November last year. But the motion was blocked after the DUP deployed a petition of concern that required the proposal to achieve a crosscommunity majority. While 41 nationalists backed the proposal, it was approved by only four unionists, meaning it could not pass. It is the fifth time same-sex marriage has been considered by the Assembly. Now personal coach Sarah Megarity, who lives in London, says it’s time for Theresa May to take action and has started an online petition. She told the Mirror: “It amazed me how little the British public knew about Northern Ireland. I live in London but am from Holywood originally. “I think this is actually an opportunity to toe the DUP into line and drag them into the 21st century, hopefully with pressure from the whole UK the PM will have to take this to the negotiating table. “She’s not popular enough to ignore us if enough of us shout. I’m hoping someone like Ruth Davidson picks this up, as she can apply pressure to the PM in a constructive way. “Fundamentally I believe love and legal expression of it is one of the most basic human rights there is. “Marriage existed before the Church, after all. While I am not gay myself, I feel very strongly about this as it is a human rights issue – and one the people of Northern Ireland support that is currently blocked by only the eccentricities of the petition of concern.” To sign Sarah’s petition visit www.change.org/p/theresa-maymp-gay-equality-in-northernireland

ANGER Demo at Downing Street