Council reviews 'gay marriage' ban

Lisburn City Council is reconsidering a decision to ban use of its wedding room for "gay weddings".

Lisburn City Council is reconsidering a decision to ban use of its wedding room for "gay weddings".

The council said an equality impact assessment was being undertaken after a number of complaints about the decision made by councillors in July.

The Gay Rights Association is threatening to take the council to court, accusing it of "blatant discrimination" against homosexual and lesbian couples.

A new British law allowing the registration of same-sex civil partnerships comes into effect in December. While some councils in Britain are fighting to be the first to conduct a "gay wedding", Lisburn councillors last July passed a motion proposed by the Alliance Party's Seamus Close that the union of same-sex couples should not be afforded the same recognition as heterosexual marriage.

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The effect was that the council's Cherry Room was closed to gay couples seeking to register their partnership.

A council statement yesterday said: "An equality impact assessment is currently being undertaken regarding the decision taken on the use of the Cherry Room.

"As part of this impact assessment, general consultation will be sought and interested parties will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the council regarding this issue."