End the denial of rights - Polland

 Ógra Shinn Féin has said the DUP should stop prioritising their toxic pact with the Tories and deal with the continued denial of rights in the north. 

Speaking after the Tories blocked the Marriage Equality Bill at Westminster, Niall Polland said: 

“At the heart of the current political impasse is rights. The right to marry. The right to seek a coroner’s inquest, and language rights.

“From the previous round of talks it was clear that Marriage Equality would not be achieved through the Assembly.

“Sinn Féin secured a route to achieve Marriage Equality through Westminster. We as republicans are not comfortable with British MP’s legislating on the affairs of the North. But it is necessary to create a equal society.

“Yesterday’s blockage of the Marriage Equality Bill for the North in Westminster by a Conservative MP is a clear example of the DUP Tory Pact. It is now evident that the Conservatives and the DUP would rather impose devastating cuts to our public services than grant people their rights.

“Our LGBT+ community deserves equal recognition in the eyes of the law and this can only be achieved through the introduction of same-sex marriage, increased support for those who identify as transgendered and the extension of equal rights to the LGBT+ community. It is not a matter of if, but when equal marriage is introduced in the North. The night is darkest just before the dawn, but make no mistake about it the LGBT+ communities day is about to dawn.”

 - Niall Polland, National LGBT+ Officer