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Northern Ireland

Fun Fast Facts:

Updated: 23 Jun 2015 (The black sheep of the UK)

  • Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters, while other areas are reserved for the British government.
  • Same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1982.
  • Civil partnerships have been available to same-sex couples since 2005.
  • Adoption by same-sex couples became legal in 2013.
  • Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which does not have marriage equality, after England, Wales and Scotland legalised it in 2014 and Ireland in 2015.
  • In April 2015, the Northern Irish Assembly voted down a motion on same-sex marriage for the fourth time. It was proposed by Sinn Féin but failed by two votes, with 47 in favour and 49 against.

Broadcast: 23 Jun 2015

The black sheep of the UK

W3JOY interviewed: Rosie Fagan, one of the first to get a civil partnership in Northern Ireland

Listen to the podcast to learn about:

  • growing up in a fairly violent, unstable country
  • the role of religion in Northern Ireland and the ability of the Catholic Church to influence politics and politicians
  • same-sex adoption and the withdrawal of services by the Catholic Church
  • the road from civil partnerships to marriage
  • the current state of politics and how change might be achieved.

Listen to the podcast



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