The United Kingdom’s members of parliament on July 9 made two historic votes in favor of extending same-sex marriage and abortion to Northern Ireland.
The House of Commons voted 383-73 to extend marriage equality.
A quarter hour later, the members passed an amendment supporting abortion 332-99.
The votes follow long campaigns for both social issues and bring the country in line with the rest of the U.K.
However, the bills continue to face a challenge as the Stormont Assembly, the regional government in Northern Ireland, has been in an ongoing political deadlock since 2017. If Stormont isn’t restored by October 21, Westminster will have the power to approve or repeal the measures.
Same-sex weddings could potentially begin within three months, said Labour MP Conor McGinn, a longstanding ally and supporter for marriage equality in Northern Ireland, who put the legislation to a vote.
The outcome was sad for Sara Canning, the partner of slain journalist Lyra McKee. The couple were planning to wed.
Speaking to Susan Keogh of Newstalk Breakfast, Canning said, “For me personally, it was such a bittersweet moment, it was something that so many of us in Northern Ireland have wanted for a long time and so many really fought and put blood, sweat and tears into getting Westminster to legislate on our behalf.
“So, it was fantastic to see it finally go through,” she added, noting that McKee “would have been incredibly pleased.”
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