AN online poll by the News Letter website has found almost two thirds of votes have been cast in favour of gay marriage in Northern Ireland.
So far more than 11,000 votes have been registered on the gay marriage debate, with 760 [66%] in favour and 391 [34%] against. These were the figures on Wednesday morning, after MPs in Westminster voted in favour of gay marriage on Tuesday night.
How Northern Ireland MPs voted.
IN terms of Northern Ireland MPs, the Bill was supported by the SDLP’s Mark Durkan (Foyle) and Alliance MP Naomi Long (East Belfast).
The Bill was opposed by DUP MPs Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry), Nigel Dodds (North Belfast), Jeffrey Donaldson (Lagan Valley), the Rev William McCrea (South Antrim), Ian Paisley Jnr (North Antrim), Jim Shannon (Strangford), David Simpson (Upper Bann), Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) and independent, Lady Sylvia Hermon (North Down).
In a statement, the Evangelical Alliance organisation said they were encouraged that only two of Northern Ireland’s 18 MPs supported the Marriage (same-sex couples) Bill.
Peter Lynas, the NI director of Evangelical Alliance said: “David Cameron’s crusade to redefine marriage will have profound implications for society.
“By playing politics with this vitally important institution, the government is proposing a new social orthodoxy against which any safeguards for dissenting voices will not stand.”
“Equality is a red herring. Civil partnerships give gay couples equal rights. Equality does not and should not eradicate difference.
“Under the Marriage (same-sex couples) Bill, laws relating to consummation and adultery will not apply for same-sex couples. Only infidelity between a man and a woman would constitute adultery. So the Bill, as it stands, will not lead to equal treatment.””
Mr Lynas said he remained “optimistic” that marriage will not be redefined in Northern Ireland.”
You can still express your views on gay marriage by simply voting for or against on the poll on the right hand side of this page.
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