First civil partnerships convert to marriage in NI from today
32 couples plan to make the change this week
Last updated 7th Dec 2020
Same-sex couples in Northern Ireland are set to be able to marry for the first time, through conversion of existing civil partnerships.
The recent law change which has enabled this applies to 1,300 couples here, 32 of whom have already booked a ceremony for this week.
The change has been widely regarded as the final piece of the equality jigsaw, slotting into place after decades of campaigning.
The decades-long pathway to marriage equality – some key dates
19th December 2005 - The first same-sex civil partnerships were officiated in NI. Christopher Flanagan-Kane and Henry Flanagan-Kane were among the first to make it official!
November 2015 - The DUP blocked a Stormont motion in favour of same-sex marriage. It was the 5th time it had been debated, and the only time it was voted through. However, this was stopped from progressing because of the Petition of Concern was triggered.
28th March 2018 - The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons by Labour MP Conor McGinn, originally from South Armagh. It was passed on the first reading.
21st October 2019 - Same sex marriage legalised in NI. That's five years later than the rest of the UK.
11th February 2020 - The first same sex marriage took place in NI when Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards tied the knot.
22nd October 2020 – the Government announced civil partnerships CAN be converted to marriage.
6th December 2020 – The first conversion of a civil partnership into an official marriage is set to take place, as Cara McCann and Amanda McGurk marry.
Cara McCann and her partner Amanda McGurk have both helped lead the Love Equality campaign for same-sex marriage rights in Northern Ireland.
Cara is director of LGBT+ women’s organisation Here NI, while Amanda works for Cara Friend, an LGBT+ support organisation.
The couple entered a civil partnership on February 14 last year, but on Monday will officially become married by converting to marriage through a registration process at Belfast City Hall.
Ahead of the wedding today, Cara McCann thanked everyone who helped pave the way.
“We fought long and hard for the right to marry and we are so looking forward to being an officially married couple,” she said.
“We want to thank everyone who was part of this great movement for love and equality and which has delivered this wonderful, positive change for our society.”
Later on Monday, another of the leaders of the Love Equality campaign, John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, will become married to his partner Martin Toland, following a civil partnership conversion ceremony at Lisburn Civic Centre.
John said today marks the 'successful endpoint' of the campaign to bring marriage equality to Northern Ireland.
“For the LGBT+ community, there are still more battles to be fought for equality, but today is a day of celebration, not just for us, but for everyone who marched with us," he said.
Meanwhile, it has emerged the conversion will not cost couples a penny as the Finance Minister has waived the fees.
Conor Murphy said: "As a gesture of support I have waived the conversion fee for those couples and for all couples who wish to convert their civil partnership to a marriage for a full year."