The reality is community has caught up with us

The reality is community has caught up with us

15 July 2015

A COUPLE who hit the headlines in a political storm over gay marriage has welcomed the council’s public support for the institution.

Peter Surginor and his partner David Lee were thrust into the spotlight in April after Mr Surginor posed a question to Health Minister Jim Wells about his opinion on same-sex marriage at a hustings event at the St Patrick Centre.

Mr Wells lost his job in a political storm over his response, which centred on accusations of homophobia. At that time Mr Surginor and Mr Lee welcomed his resignation as a “victory for the gay community in Northern Ireland.”

The couple have again spoken out for the lesbian, gay and bisexual community (LGBT) by welcoming Newry Mourne and Down Council’s vote last Monday  to support everyone’s right to a civil marriage regardless of sexual orientation.

Alliance councillor Patrick Brown, who presented the motion, said he had done so to demonstrate that the council is “open and inclusive” and so people from the LGBT community could feel “accepted, empowered and involved in a modern, tolerant and progressive society”.

“All married couples of the same sex should have the same legal entitlement to the protections, responsibilities, rights, obligations and benefits afford by the legal institution of marriage; and (this council]) calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to extend civil marriage provisions to same sex couples,” said Mr Brown.

Following the motion, which was passed despite opposition from unionist councillors from the DUP, UUP and UKIP, Mr Surginor and Mr Lee said they felt it was a small but important step for Northern Ireland.

“I am not surprised by the result considering the make-up of the council and the strength of Sinn Fein in which 13 voted for,” said Mr Surginor.

“What does surprise me is that unionist councillors have once again voted against, which does not tie in with what is happening in the rest of the UK to which they want to be affiliated.

“Likewise I am surprised there were abstentions within the SDLP, which despite its pledge for equality, seems to want to keep the conservative Catholic vote.

“The gay community does not experience the same hostilities it may have done in the past. It is not a problem for younger people, it has become a non-issue.

“But the vote was passed and I think steps like this make a difference. The following day a similar vote passed in Fermanagh. Things are creeping forward.

“The reality is that the community have caught up with us, it is only politicians who are lagging behind.”

Mr Lee agreed and said the progressive nature of the local council’s vote gave a message that the LGBT community was not isolated in Down.

“We have the message that we are living somewhere where our rights are supported and that is very positive,” he said.

“It means we still want to live here and to invest here. I personally would not want to be investing, living and shopping in a community which did not make me feel comfortable.”

Mr Lee and Mr Surginor agree that same sex marriage should one day be introduced to Northern Ireland.

“Following the referendum in the south of Ireland we can go there and marry but it means the marriage would not be recognised once we come north, “ said Mr Surginor.

“The reality is I want to get married here and we will continue to work towards that.”