Motion forequality onmarriage defeated

MLAs voted 51 to 43 on Tuesday (April 29) against redefining marriage.

Callum Webster, a spokesman for The Christian Institute, said: “The people of Northern Ireland are clearly opposed to redefining marriage and it’s only a political elite who are trying to force the change on the Province.”

Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane proposed a motion calling on the Finance Minister to introduce legislation to guarantee couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit.

Mr Webster said: “Elected representatives have voted three times in less than two years to keep marriage between a man and a woman, so those pushing for gay marriage should take the hint. Just because politicians at Westminster have ridden roughshod over the opinions of hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens and redefined marriage, doesn’t mean Northern Ireland needs to follow suit.”

The motion was tabled by six MLAs from the Alliance, Sinn Féin and Green parties,