Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Since 2005 we’ve gone backwards
Gay couples want progress on marriage laws Business leaders sign letter calling for reform
GAY couples in Northern Ireland believe the region has “gone backwards” since civil partnerships were recognised here 13 years ago.
Partners Grainne Close and Shannon Sickels along with Henry and Chris Flanagan-kane are appealing a High Court decision to kick out their judicial review.
Grainne said: “Back in December 19, 2005, we were all over the moon civil partnerships were being recognised in Northern Ireland.
“And here we are now in 2018. We’ve gone backwards.”
Chris said the current laws on equal marriage are having a huge impact on mental health in the LGBT+ community, with high incidents of suicides.
He added: “Nothing has moved and my big thing here is with mental health.
“I believe we are being treated as second-class SEVERAL major international companies operating in Northern Ireland have called for same-sex marriage to be introduced.
Business leaders from sectors including finance and law advanced economic arguments for change and said an inclusive workforce free citizens and what kind of message is that giving to our young people growing up in the gay community – to think that they are not the same as their heterosexual brother and sister.”
The couples now have children of their own and said they don’t want them growing up thinking the love their parents have for each another is worth less than children of heterosexual parents.
Shannon said: “It’s a big thing. It to express itself was more productive.
Citi boss Leigh Meyer in Belfast, said: “We all seek for Northern Ireland to be inclusive, equitable and fair, a progressive society that includes all of its citizens and sends a very strong message to our kids about what’s acceptable and what’s fair.
“I feel very strongly that I want our child to be growing up in a society where she knows the love we work so hard to create for her is respected as the same.
“We face the same challenges in relationships and parenting as anybody else, so it’s very important to have that recognised.
“Everybody says, ‘If it’s kind of the same, why can’t you just be happy with civil partnership?’
“We are saying, ‘Well if it’s the same, why don’t you make it the same?’”
The couples took their case against Stormont on the basis the continuing absence of marriage equality here breaches their human rights.
Gay couples in the rest of the UK and the Republic can all get married.
If the couples’ appeal is not successful, they have vowed to take their fight all the way to the Supreme Court. residents in access to basic rights and opportunities.” Deloitte, PWC, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Coca Cola Ireland and law firm Pinsent Masons were among those who signed a letter calling for the landmark reform.