It’s Waugh over Ulster ban on gay marriage

Actress refuses to get legally wed until lesbian mum has same right

ACTRESS Bronagh Waugh is refusing to be legally married until her lesbian mum can wed in Northern Ireland too.

The star is having a ceremony this month and says she will have “a party with the big dress and everything”.

But she won’t apply for, or sign, marriage papers until marriage equality becomes law here.

Bronagh, who is currently starring in ITV’s Unforgotten, said she is making the stand for her mum Bonnie and every other gay and lesbian couple in the country.

She added: “I’m getting married in Somerset and we’re having a big party but we’ll not do the legal bit until everyone in Northern Ireland can.

“Our government has being lying dormant for over 18 months whilst our MLAs are being paid and we have no ruling body taking action in our communities against drug problems, paramilitaries, homelessness, poverty, education, the NHS – our hospitals and schools in crisis, trafficking, immigration, a housing and benefit crisis and basic human rights being ignored with our women and LGBTQi brothers and sisters.

“It’s despicable. Appalling. It’s almost a record in Western Europe for how long we have gone without government and all the while Brexit looms large and we know not what will happen with the border, our families and businesses or future.

“England don’t care and Ireland don’t want us. We’re in no-man’s land.

“And they want us to turn on each other. That’s their design. Pit the weak against the weak. They want us to be divided. They want us to fight.

“There are so many parts of our community crying out for help right now and they all matter. They all need attention. They all need a spotlight shone on them and for empathy and understanding.

“Take the time to understand what it is that we can be doing to be a better ally to our LGBTQi community. Pride is needed. Because we have a large portion of our community that is being ignored, marginalised and made to feel not welcome.” Explaining why this is personal to her, Ms Waugh said: “I have gay parents and campaign so fervently for equality.

“I’m pretty sure every one of my other friends, straight or gay, feels the same way, regardless of whether they have gay parents or whether they’re out marching at Pride or not.

“We have a long way to go until true equality. We may be ignored in Stormont but we will not be silenced and ignored any longer.

“So we will be out for Pride on Saturday. We are all in this together.”

STANCE Bronagh Waugh