If you ever hear Arlene Foster complaining about same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, just remind her of this simple fact
Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which opposes same-sex marriage and abortion. (Charles McQuillan/Getty)
LGBT+ people won a historic victory in Northern Ireland today with the legalisation of same-sex marriage, but as predicted, Arlene Foster and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) didn’t let it happen without a fight.
Along with a handful of members from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), DUP leader Arlene Foster led a last ditch attempt to stop marriage equality and legal abortion just hours before the new laws passed.
Having gained the minimum 30 signatures required for a petition of recall, Foster tried in vain to reform Northern Ireland’s devolved government, Stormont, for the first time since March 2017.
But lacking enough cross-party support to even elect a Speaker, they didn’t get very far.
Live footage of Arlene Foster trying to form a government in time to stop gay marriage & abortion becoming legal in NI at midnight tonightpic.twitter.com/mhlJoFyihC
— Jack D ? (@JackDunc1) October 21, 2019
As the majority of seats remained conspicuously empty for the bizarre 48-minute sitting, the assembly was nothing more than “a spectacular sham”, according to the Belfast Telegraph‘s Suzanne Breen.
Rather than undermining the legislation in any way, the unionist MLAs instead used their platform for what Breen scathingly described as “a pantomime,” adding: “A piece of high-class political theatre it was not.”
‘It is not over’ says Arlene Foster, as she leaves the Stormont chamber after failing to stop the liberalistation of abortion laws in N Ireland.. pic.twitter.com/xVUKS1bvKo
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) October 21, 2019
“This is not the end of the matter, as far as this party’s concerned,” Foster told the sparsely populated chamber. But it really is.
For the eager viewers over on Gay Twitter™, Arlene Foster’s searing defeat was sheer joy to watch. And LGBT+ journalist Benjamin Butterworth was quick to point out a fatal flaw in her campaign against abortion and same-sex marriage.
Not so keen on full regulatory alignment with the rest of the United Kingdom now, eh, Arlene. https://t.co/fJOjeZ3fsp
— Benjamin Butterworth (@benjaminbutter) October 21, 2019
“Regulatory alignment” refers to the DUP’s position on Brexit, pushing for legislative parity with the rest of the UK to avoid a trade barrier which would be detrimental to businesses.
Essentially, Arlene Foster’s DUP sought to be firmly aligned with the UK in all elements of its Brexit ‘deal’… but not on human rights issues like access to abortion or equal marriage.
pic.twitter.com/O5bskord2k
— Jam Face (@jam_face) October 21, 2019
Obviously the DUP can’t have its cake and eat it too, as Twitter users were only too happy to explain.
The DUP has repeatedly – and quite passionately – argued that Northern Ireland can never be out of step with the rest of the UK
Today, Stormont is being recalled for the first time in 3 years – specifically to repeal British laws on abortion
You really couldn’t make it up
— Steve Hawkes (@steve_hawkes) October 21, 2019
DUP return to Stormont to demand to be treated differently from the rest of the UK while they throw their toys out of the pram at Westminster because they don’t want to be treated differently from the rest of the UK ?♂️
— Rónán (@RonanTimoney) October 21, 2019
Saturday = we demand full alignment with UK. Tuesday = actually, nah, changed my mind.
— J.H.Grindvoll (@GrindvollH) October 22, 2019
Snarlin Arlene wished to be part of the UK, congratulations, you now are ????????
— ‘Oor’ Axel Foley (@Roadwarrior29) October 21, 2019
Worlds smallest Violin for you Arlene. ? ?
— Lee Burkwood (@lee_b_20) October 21, 2019
.@DUPleader girl bye. pic.twitter.com/9dXerbaztS
— Alex (@DrAlexMarshall) October 21, 2019
WE MUST NEVER BE SEPARATED IN ANY WAY FROM THE REST OF THE UNITED KINGDOM!
– brings abortion law in line with UKEXCEPT ON THAT
– queries bogus superstitious creationist nonsense being taught in schools
AND THAT
— A Sceptical Brit (@ElNuevoOtroMio2) October 21, 2019
Imagine not turning up to work for two and a half years, then the one thing that finally gets you there is to block people you have never met from having the right to getting married or making decisions about their own bodies. Unhinged.
— Benjamin Butterworth (@benjaminbutter) October 21, 2019
PinkNews cannot be sure what Arlene Foster’s reaction was when she awoke this morning in a country where gay marriage is legal, but we imagine it was something like this.
Arlene Foster the moment the clock strikes midnight tonight pic.twitter.com/6UuGvk6eFT
— Steven (@Steven_Armour) October 21, 2019
