Northern Ireland awaits momentous abortion, same-sex marriage decision

Campaigners fighting for decades to end Northern Ireland's same-sex marraige ban and restrictions on abortions prepare on October 21 for a change to the law midnight. It will take the British parliament until mid-January to bring in the new legislation setting up Valentine's day as the first opportunity for same-sex couples to marry once they give the required 28-days’ notice if no Government is formed on October 21 midnight.

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Northern Ireland has different abortion laws

Reports suggest that Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom which does not permit same-sex marriage.  Unlike England, Scotland and Wales, laws in Northern Ireland restrict abortion except when a mother's life is at risk. But an incredible vote by British MPS in July earlier this year forced the government in London to modify the laws if Belfast's devolved executive branch does not get restored by October 21 is set to kick in with little or no hope of politicians ending three-year hiatus. Pro-Choice groups have proposed a number of events on Monday to bring in the new changes.

Ashleigh Topley said that in 2014 when she needed an abortion ad was denied one she swore she would add her voice to campaign for abortion rights and to have that achieved is just incredible. Ashleigh was a part of a Supreme Court challenge to the law. She further said that it will never reverse the experience but has given a purpose to her pain and that she is relieved that no one else will now have to go through what she did. 

Abortion rights have long been decried in Northern Ireland by religious conservatives in both the Protestant community which supports continued British rule and the Catholic community that favours union with the traditionally Catholic Irish Republic.

If a new government does not form by midnight, abortion will be decriminalised. 

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Same-Sex marriage

Reports suggest that opinion has also changed on same-sex marriage. However, Despite that previous attempts to follow the Irish Republic in legalizing it has been blocked by the socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) by using a special veto to prevent discrimination towards one community over another. 

It will take the British parliament until mid-January to bring in the new legislation setting up Valentine's day as the first opportunity for same-sex couples to marry once they give the required 28-days’ notice.

(With inputs from agencies)

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