Northern Ireland ► Last News

gcn.ie

09.05.2022 / 20:03

Northern Ireland queer community reacts to historic Sinn Féin win

Ireland and the UK alike are still digesting the history-making Sinn Féin win at the recent Northern Irish elections, in which they secured 27 seats in the 90-seat legislature. This means the Democratic Unionist Party, having won just 25 seats, has now been pushed out of its position of power, with many members of the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain

gcn.ie

16.03.2022 / 15:47

Six further arrests made in connection with Lyra McKee murder

Police in Derry has announced that there have been six further arrests made in connection with the murder of LGBTQ+ journalist Lyra McKee. The detentions were made on Tuesday, March 15, almost three years after the tragic incident occurred. Five arrests were made yesterday morning in the Cityside of Derry, with men aged 20, 41, […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Murder

gcn.ie

14.03.2022 / 19:07

OUTing the Past returns in 2022 for 3 weeks of celebrating LGBTQ+ history

OUTing the Past: The International Festival of LGBTQ+ History, returns in 2022 with a jam-packed programme of nationwide events. There will be a total of 39 exciting events, talks, webinars and workshops taking place across the 24 days, with celebrations kicking off on March 18 and running until April 10. In its four years of […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

15.02.2022 / 20:15

Derry dads become first couple to have baby through surrogacy without leaving Northern Ireland

A same-sex couple in Derry have become the dads of baby Wren, now seven months old, making them the first couple to have a baby via surrogacy in the North of Ireland. It took five years of saving up and a lot of hard work, but Patrick and Jon Coyle have finally been able to […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

18.01.2022 / 17:32

European Court of Human Rights deems Belfast ‘gay cake’ case inadmissible

The European Court of Human Rights has thrown out the ‘gay cake’ case, saying that the plaintiff Gareth Lee failed to “exhaust domestic remedies” throughout the duration of the legal battle. Mr Lee opened the case after he felt that he was discriminated against by a Belfast-based bakery when they refused to make a “Support Gay Marriage” cake.The LGBTQ+ activist involved with Queer Space originally ordered the cake from Ashers in May 2014, with the intention of bringing it to a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia.

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

02.12.2021 / 17:07

The Array Collective wins Turner Prize 2021 with Irish pub installation

Northern Ireland’s Array Collective was crowned winners of the prestigious Turner Prize 2021 on Wednesday, December 1. Their installation, ‘a pub without permission’, replicates a traditional Irish pub, and boasts banners protesting things like conversion therapy, and advocating for abortion rights. The work was praised by judges for this very reason, as they admired how […]

Northern Ireland Art Ireland city Belfast

gcn.ie

02.11.2021 / 20:45

Plans for Belfast to get its first LGBTQ+ hub

Just over a year after Marriage Equality was bestowed upon Northern Ireland, the city of Belfast may be getting a hub specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. The request for a queer-friendly hub was directed at Belfast City Council Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie, and without conflict or contention, the council committee approved financial aid for the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland city Belfast

gaytimes.co.uk

04.10.2021 / 13:55

Why is trans participation in sport so controversial?

Trans women and non-binary people – neither male nor female – assigned male at birth have “strength, stamina and physique” advantages over the average woman, the government bodies said in their new guidelines for national governing sports bodies.

Northern Ireland Trans Ireland Scotland guidelines innovations

queerty.com

02.10.2021 / 17:31

WATCH: Woman punches anti-gay protester in the face at Irish Pride parade

Northern Ireland faces criminal charges after punching an anti-LGBTQ protester in the face during a Pride parade on September 19.Video of the incident went viral on Twitter following the incident. In the footage, an unidentified woman approaches protester Gerry McGeough, 63.

Northern Ireland Ireland Life

gcn.ie

01.10.2021 / 17:37

Further arrests made in connection with Lyra McKee murder

Police in Derry have made further arrests in connection to the murder of Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee in 2019. Two men aged 44 and 53 were detained this morning, Friday, 1 October, and have been taken for questioning to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast. They were arrested under the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland city Belfast Murder

gcn.ie

23.09.2021 / 15:01

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson meets with LGBTQ+ group

On Monday afternoon, the leader of the DUP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson reportedly met with representatives from the LGBTQ+ organisation the Rainbow Project. Following a long history of anti-gay politics, this meeting may show signs of improving attitudes within the party towards the queer community. According to Belfast Live, it is believed that this is the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland politics

gcn.ie

15.09.2021 / 16:21

Four men arrested in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee

It was announced early this morning that four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of queer journalist, Lyra McKee. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released a statement which says that the four men, aged 19, 20, 21 and 33, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act. The arrest was made […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Murder

gcn.ie

17.08.2021 / 14:53

Rainbow Project Director shares importance of change in NI blood donor rules for LGBTQ+ equality

In momentous news, blood donor rules for gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men in Northern Ireland changed on Monday August 16, and John O’Doherty of the Rainbow Project and his husband Martin were among the first people to donate. In June, a statement from the NHS Blood and Transplant said: “Under the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

19.07.2021 / 18:47

What it's like to grow up gay in Northern Ireland

It’s hard to explain what it’s like growing up gay in Northern Ireland to someone who never has, describes Damian Kerlin.The first word that comes to mind is claustrophobic. Not necessarily because of the geography of the area – villages and towns spread out amongst the countryside, hills connecting like threads in a web – but because of the culture of the place itself.Much of Northern Ireland is standard rural, working class communities in this way, but for me – and I imagine many others – your experience of living in this type of community is twisted in unexpected ways when you grow up as gay.

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

06.07.2021 / 19:17

Reverend resigns from 'homophobic' Church of Ireland

Reverend Andrew Rawding has resigned his position as a clergyman from the Church of Ireland due to the homophobic stance the church has upheld. Rev Rawdling is the rector of Brackaville, Donaghendry, and Ballyclog in County Tyrone. He has been a champion for the LGBTQ+ community all throughout his tenure. He was one of the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland county Andrew

gcn.ie

06.07.2021 / 18:55

Reverend has resigned from 'homophobic' Church of Ireland

Northern Ireland Ireland county Andrew

metro.co.uk

16.06.2021 / 02:43

Ultimate UK LGBT Pride calendar 2021: Dates, times and locations

Pride month – which celebrates LBGT+ communities around the globe.It takes place in June, to commemorate the June 1969 Stonewall riots – protests after a police raid on the New York gay bar Stonewall Inn.But this year, many events take place later in summer or autumn, due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions – which, in England, are potentially going to be lifted on June 21.So, when are the major Pride events this year, and where can you celebrate?Here’s the latest.London Pride takes place later in 2021, due to the pandemic.

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain New York Scotland lgbt

gscene.com

10.06.2021 / 15:01

DUP politician accused of sharing “anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda”

DUP politician, Thomas Buchanan, has come under fire after sharing a post on Facebook from an ‘ex-gay’ woman who claimed she had “lived a homosexual lifestyle for several years” before being ‘convicted of her sins’. In the post, which Buchanan shared on June 7, the woman said that God made her realise her “sinfulness”, and that she prays other LGBTQ+ people will have the same experience. Social media users criticised Buchanan for sharing the post, with one saying he harbors “exclusionary and bigoted views”.

Northern Ireland Ireland lgbtq

gscene.com

21.05.2021 / 18:27

Judge rules gender dysphoria diagnosis “unnecessary” for legal recognition

In a symbolic victory for trans rights, a judge in Northern Ireland ruled in favour of an anonymous trans women who sought to eradicate the requirements that trans people are made to meet in order to gain legal recognition. On May 13, Justice Scoffield ruled that the current regulations, in which trans people must receive a diagnosis of gender dysphoria to be legally recognised by their gender, are “unjustified”.The court then determined that the requirement for trans people to prove they are experiencing gender dysphoria was incompatible with regulations laid out by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Northern Ireland Ireland transgender lgbtq

gcn.ie

19.05.2021 / 14:59

Incoming DUP leader Edwin Poots says LGBTQ+ people will be treated same as anyone, but history of anti-gay policies suggests otherwise

GBTMSM donating blood in Northern Ireland. Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said: “I think that people who engage in high risk sexual behaviour in general should be excluded from giving blood… And so someone who has sex with somebody in Africa or sex with prostitutes, I am very reluctant about those people being able to give blood.”The following year, in 2013, the UK Supreme Court rejected an attempt by Poots to challenge an Appeal Court that allowed LGBTQ+ parents to adopt children in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain

gscene.com

04.05.2021 / 14:46

Update: Arlene Foster to quit DUP entirely

After resigning from her position as Democratic Unionist Party leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, a source close to Arlene Foster told BBC Northern Ireland that she intends to quit the party entirely after stepping down in June. Previously, Foster said she would wait until June to disclose whether or not she would remain in the DUP, but it has now been confirmed that she believes it is a ‘different party’ to that which she first joined in 2005. Earlier this week, 75% of Foster’s elected representatives signed a letter of no confidence following her recent decision to abstain from voting on a conversion therapy ban.

Northern Ireland Ireland lgbtq Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

29.04.2021 / 19:48

Memorial for gay rights activist Mark Ashton a step closer after council passes motion in support

A motion to pay tribute to gay rights activist Mark Ashton and to consult the family of the LGBTQ+ campaigner over a memorial to him has been passed by members of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough council’s corporate policy and resources committee despite DUP opposition.The motion, which was proposed by SDLP Councillor Margaret Anne McKillop, called for the council to note Mr Ashton’s “work and commitment as an activist for the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and workers’ rights, especially coal miners during the Coal Miners’ strike of 1984/1985”.It also called for “the immediate allocation of funds and identification of a suitable site, to take place in consultation with family and LGBTQ+ groups, for a suitable memorial to Mark Ashton

Northern Ireland Ireland Pride

gscene.com

29.04.2021 / 18:26

DUP leader Arlene Foster resigns after conversion therapy controversy

First minister and leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, has resigned after 75% of her elected representatives signed a letter of no confidence following her recent decision to abstain from voting on a conversion therapy ban. Although the motion to ban conversion therapy received overwhelming support from all other major political parties, Foster said she wished to protect ‘religious freedom’, writing on Twitter: “Any law coming forward must define therapy in a way which does not harm freedom of religion.”Foster’s comments sparked backlash among LGBTQ+ activists, and now reports from the News Letter have confirmed that DUP party members voted to remove Foster as leader.

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain lgbtq Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

28.04.2021 / 19:18

BREAKING: Arlene Foster to step down as leader of the DUP and First Minister of Northern Ireland

Mere hours after reporting that Arlene Foster could lose the DUP leadership after her party’s letter of no confidence in how she dealt with a recent motion banning conversion therapy and the Brexit situation, Foster has announced she will in fact step down herself. In a statement released on the DUP website, Foster said, “A […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gscene.com

22.04.2021 / 12:48

Motion to ban conversion therapy in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly voted 59 to 28 in favour of a motion calling for a national ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy on April 20. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) introduced the motion and stated it was “fundamentally wrong to view our LGBTQ+ community as requiring a fix or cure”.

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain Stonewall Equality

gcn.ie

20.04.2021 / 19:11

BREAKING: Northern Ireland votes to ban conversion therapy

Stormont has passed a motion by 59-24, calling on the Minister for Communities to commit to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in all its forms before the end of the current Assembly mandate. It also rejected an amendment from the DUP to remove a section reading “it is fundamentally wrong to view our […]

Northern Ireland Ireland LGBTQ rights Conversion Therapy

theguardian.com

20.03.2021 / 12:34

A Covid snapshot: 28m UK households to take part in census unlike any other

mass data gathering once a decade.The mandatory questionnaire will largely be answered online for the first time, and statisticians are looking at the possibility of using other digital data sources to provide the information gleaned from many of the 50 questions in a survey that is expected to cost £900m.Scotland has postponed its census until 2022 because of Covid, but citizens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will provide a snapshot of their lives during the pandemic.

News Northern Ireland Ireland Britain Scotland LGBT Rights

gcn.ie

09.03.2021 / 19:48

Minister warns against rushing conversion therapy ban in Northern Ireland

A Stormont Minister has warned against rushing a ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in Northern Ireland for fear ineffective laws will allow the practice to continue. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has started the process of drafting legislation for a ban on conversion therapy while working alongside an expert panel to put together Stormont’s sexual orientation strategy. […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

08.03.2021 / 16:49

Green Party deputy leader challenges Arlene Foster to hold "overdue" meeting with LGBTQ+ groups

The Deputy Leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland has said that if Arlene Foster can engage loyalist paramilitaries, she should be engaging with LGBTQ+ organisations. Malachai O’Hara said the “time has long passed” for the First Minister to meet with various LGBTQ+ groups and that this is something she should “reflect on”. The […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Marriage Equality

gcn.ie

23.02.2021 / 15:51

This former Irish missionary is now fighting to ban conversion therapy

Six years ago, Matthew Hyndman was working as a missionary for a Northern Irish church, now Hyndman leads a campaign to ban the practice of conversion therapy. Hyndman’s life changed in an instant when he sent an email to over 100 members of his congregation which included an attachment of a conversation he had about […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

12.02.2021 / 20:27

Campaign to commemorate Mark Ashton, the gay activist who inspired the film 'Pride'

petition has been launched calling for a public memorial in memory of gay activist Mark Ashton to be erected in his hometown of Portrush, Co Antrim. Ashton was a tireless activist, and co-founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), which formed the basis for the film, Pride.A volunteer with the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, Mark then founded LGSM alongside Mike Jackson, collecting donations for the striking miners during the 1984 Pride march in London.

Northern Ireland city London Pride

queerty.com

03.01.2021 / 02:59

PHOTOS: Travel virtually to Belfast and get up close with these Northern Irish men

We can’t wait until travel resumes. In the meantime, here’s a chance to travel virtually to Northern Ireland and get up close with some local Belfast men.The photos for this article were all shot in Belfast, Northern Ireland by Elska Magazine editor and photographer Liam Campbell, who shares exclusively with GayCities these exclusive photos and a bit of behind the scenes commentary.Tony CProbably Belfast’s most iconic sight, the local equivalent of an Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building, are the big yellow Harland and Wolff cranes that are seen throughout the city, especially in and around the Titanic Quarter (yes, this is where the Titanic was built).

Liam Campbell Northern Ireland Ireland city Belfast UK

theguardian.com

10.12.2020 / 17:51

Lord Maginnis faces 18-month suspension for homophobic bullying

House of Lords for at least 18 months following a report by a conduct committee.Ken Maginnis was found to have used abusive language to a parliamentary security officer as he tried to enter the estate without his pass.When the Scottish National party MP Hannah Bardell raised the incident in the Commons, describing it as “one of the worst cases of abuse of security staff I have seen”, Lord Maginnis said she was only doing so because he opposed gay marriage.“Queers like Ms Bardell don’t particularly annoy me,” the former army officer told the Huffington Post, as well as describing the security guard as “crooked”, “a little git” and a “jobsworth”.The Lords’ conduct committee recommended that Maginnis’s suspension should be extended

News Northern Ireland Scotland Bullying

gcn.ie

07.12.2020 / 16:35

Landmark day as civil unions convert to marriage in Northern Ireland

As of Monday, over 1,300 same-sex couples in Northern Ireland can now convert their civil partnerships into marriages. Civil unions were the last part of the legal puzzle in the road to equality for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. On October 22, the law change happened with the introduction of new regulations in Parliament by […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Marriage Equality

gcn.ie

04.12.2020 / 20:50

Belfast queer men celebrated in series of stunning portraits

Belfast – a city with deep historical roots and a promising future. Part of that bright future is the ever growing LGBTQ+ community and its journey to equality and acceptance. Elska magazine, a publication that explores LGBTQ+ communities world wide, has turned the lime light on Northern Ireland in its latest issue, to introduce the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland lgbtq

gcn.ie

17.09.2020 / 16:01

Northern Irish 'conversion therapy' group attempt to have their bank account reinstated with right-wing petition

A petition launched by CitizenGO Africa, on behalf of Core Issues Trust, is attempting to reinstate the bank accounts of the Northern Irish ‘conversion therapy’ group. In July, Core Issues Trust, the most prominent ‘conversion therapy’ group in Ireland and the UK, said it had been served notice by Barclays that their account would be […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

11.09.2020 / 15:05

Ministers agree to move forward with a ban on 'conversion therapy' in Northern Ireland

Ministers have agreed to move forward with a ban on ‘conversion therapy’ in Northern Ireland along with a review of the Sexual Orientation Strategy. On Tuesday, September 8, ministers in Northern Ireland discussed moving forward with a legislative ban on ‘conversion therapy’. Communities Minister Carál Ni Chuilín agreed to take the policy lead on the […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Conversion Therapy Ban

gcn.ie

09.09.2020 / 14:27

Cleric calls out Church of Ireland for discriminatory stance on same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland

A Northern Ireland based cleric has spoken out against the Church of Ireland for their “homophobic, discriminate and prejudiced stance” on same-sex marriages. Following the amendment allowing same-sex couples in Northern Ireland to have a religious wedding ceremony, Reverend Andrew Rawding denounced the Church of Ireland for preventing him from officiating these marriages. Speaking to […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

01.09.2020 / 14:21

Couples in Northern Ireland can now apply for same-sex religious weddings

Amnesty International has welcomed a change in the law which, for the first time from today, September 1, allows same-sex couples in Northern Ireland to register for religious weddings. From today, couples will be able to register to marry in a religious setting, and religious bodies can choose to opt in to provide same-sex weddings. […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Religion Marriage

gcn.ie

29.07.2020 / 15:39

Gay couple brutally assaulted in horrific homophobic attack in Northern Ireland

A same-sex couple were subjected to a torrent of discriminatory slurs and physically assaulted during a vile homophobic attack in Northern Ireland.Liverpool based couple Emmett Doherty and Luke Bromilow were visiting Derry over the weekend. Around Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday morning, they were on their way back from socialising with friends in the city centre when they witnessed men hurling abusive language at a group of women. Fearing for the women’s safety, the couple intervened in the confrontation, as detailed by Emmet.

Northern Ireland Ireland Homophobic attack

gcn.ie

21.07.2020 / 15:43

'Conversion therapy is a prevalent form of torture in Northern Ireland,' say activists

Advocates have detailed the prevalence of ‘conversion therapy’ in Northern Ireland and have called for an urgent ban of the practice “recognised as torture”. ‘Conversion therapy’ refers to medical experiments and psychological techniques designed to modify a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Alliance councillor Eóin Tennyson told Belfast Live how he has […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Conversion Therapy

gcn.ie

09.07.2020 / 15:11

First same-sex married couple in Northern Ireland criticise Government for failing to deliver full marriage equality

The first same-sex couple to marry in Northern Ireland have criticised the Secretary of State for delays in implementing regulations to assist religious same-sex marriage and conversion of civil partnerships. On October 22 2019, the ban on same-sex marriage and abortion rights was lifted across Northern Ireland. Following this groundbreaking moment, Sharni and Robyn Edwards-Peoples […]

Northern Ireland Ireland Same-sex marriage

gscene.com

09.07.2020 / 11:09

First same-sex couple to marry in NI criticise failure to deliver full marriage equality

Sharni and Robyn Edwards-Peoples, the first same-sex couple to legally marry in Northern Ireland, and have criticised the region’s Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis MP, for the delay in allowing same-sex weddings in churches and conversion of existing civil partnerships to marriages.The couple issued a call for urgent action by the Secretary of State, on the one-year anniversary of the House of Commons vote to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, which passed an amendment from Conor McGinn MP on Thursday, July 9, 2019.Same-sex civil marriage became legal in Northern Ireland on Monday, January 13, 2020, and the first wedding took place on February 11 when Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples married in Carrickfergus.However, couples who

Northern Ireland Ireland lgbt Marriage Equality Same Sex Marriage

gscene.com

22.05.2020 / 15:39

NI Campaigners criticise failure to deliver marriage equality

Government “go slow” on allowing religious same-sex marriages and conversion of existing civil partnerships to a marriage

Northern Ireland Ireland city Belfast

euronews.com

21.05.2020 / 17:07

Brexit: UK backtracks on pledge to avoid Northern Ireland customs checks

The UK government has backtracked on a pledge to avoid customs checks on trade crossing the Irish Sea.

Northern Ireland Ireland Britain France EU Brexit United States

gcn.ie

29.04.2020 / 14:41

Limitations on blood donations for gay and bisexual men relaxed in Northern Ireland

The one year abstinence period for blood donations by gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland will be reduced to three months on June 1. The department of health has gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland will soon be able to donate blood three months after their last sexual activity. The reduces the wait […]

Northern Ireland Ireland

gcn.ie

20.04.2020 / 15:17

LGBT+ community pays tribute to Lyra McKee on first anniversary of her murder

On Saturday, April 18, the LGBT+ community paid tribute to writer Lyra McKee marking the first anniversary of the journalist’s death. Under the hashtag #WeStandWithLyra, the digital commemoration united people in remembrance and solidarity of the inspiring journalist. Proud to be a member of the NUJ and support today’s online commemoration of murdered journalist Lyra […]

Northern Ireland

gcn.ie

16.04.2020 / 17:49

Judge rules same-sex couple faced discrimination after their marriage status was not recognised in Northern Ireland

The Court of Appeal has ruled a same-sex couple faced unjustified discrimination after their marital status was changed to civil partnership on their return to Northern Ireland. Petitioner ‘X’ and his husband took legal action to ensure their marriage remains fully constituted after they wed in London in 2003 and returned to Northern Ireland. Following […]

Northern Ireland Ireland city London Same-sex marriage

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Northern Ireland: Last News

History made with decisive Sinn Féin win in Northern Ireland

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