At a packed meeting following Saturday’s mass demonstration for marriage equality in Belfast, campaign group Fight4Equality has announced it intends to launch a series of actions targeting homophobic politicians.
The campaign plans to hold a series of local meetings to lay the basis for this, beginning with Peter Robinson’s constituency of East Belfast.
Campaign spokesperson Courtney Robinson said:
“Northern Ireland is now the only place in these islands where same-sex couples continue to be denied equality but today’s march shows that people are determined not to be left behind when it comes to LGBT rights. The victory in the Southern marriage equality referendum has given people confidence that change is possible.”
“We need to step up the pressure on politicians who continue to act as a block on progress in opposition to the wishes of the majority of people here. The fact that Jim Wells was forced to resign in the wake of his disgusting comments shows that they are not immune to public pressure. A determined and active campaign can win victories.”
“We’re not just demanding marriage equality. We demand an end to the illogical ban on gay men giving blood and action against homophobic bullying and homophobic groups preaching in schools – something which successive Sinn Féin Education Ministers have done nothing about.”
“The fight for LGBT equality must be linked with the struggle against sectarianism, racism and sexism, including the fight for a woman’s right to choose, something all the main parties are opposed to.”
The first of the series of local meetings is to be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 18th June in the Skainos Centre.
A second public meeting has been arranged in Enniskillen on Tuesday 23rd June at 4pm at Fermanagh House.
Spokesperson and Member of Youth Parliament for Fermanagh & South Tyrone Darragh O’Reilly said:
“Northern Ireland is now the only place in these islands where same-sex couples continue to be denied equality but Saturday’s march shows that people are determined not to be left behind when it comes to LGBT rights. The victory in the Southern marriage equality referendum has given people confidence that change is possible.”
“We need to step up the pressure on politicians who continue to act as a block on progress in opposition to the wishes of the majority of people here. We have our share of them in this county. The fact that Jim Wells was forced to resign as Health Minister in the wake of his disgusting comments shows that they are not immune to public pressure. A determined and active campaign can win victories.”
“We’re not just demanding marriage equality. We demand an end to the illogical ban on gay men giving blood and action against homophobic bullying and homophobic groups preaching in schools – something which successive Sinn Féin Education Ministers have done nothing about.”