In the British province of Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage and abortion (under certain conditions) are now permitted. Laws enabling this came into effect on Tuesday.
Delegates for Northern Ireland in the British Parliament in London had already voted in favor of the legislative changes in July, but the Northern Ireland Parliament in Belfast had until Monday to make any desired amendments.
The Northern Ireland Parliament, which has been suspended and not meeting since January 2017, briefly convened on Monday for a special session. However, without the support of opposition parties, opponents could not block the laws.
Julian Smith, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said that the ban on abortions has now been lifted, and work is underway on legislation to include the medical procedure among the responsibilities of hospitals.
The arrangements for same-sex marriage must be finalized by January 13 next year. This means that the first civil marriages between same-sex couples will take place in the week of Valentine’s Day, Smith said.
Outside the parliament building in Belfast, several hundred supporters and opponents of the new laws gathered on Monday. "This is a very important moment and the beginning of a new era for Northern Ireland, in which we are freed from oppressive laws," said the Northern Ireland campaign manager of Amnesty International.