Weddings

Outpouring of love as history is made with first-ever same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

Robyn Peoples, from Belfast, and Sharni Edwards, from Brighton, pose for the media after getting married on February 11, 2020 in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.

Robyn Peoples, from Belfast, and Sharni Edwards, from Brighton, pose for the media after getting married on February 11, 2020 in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The first same-sex couple to get married in Northern Ireland after equal marriage finally came to the territory have received an outpouring of love from the public.

Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards of Belfast made history when they married today (February 11) at 2pm at the Loughshore Hotel in Carrickfergus.

Their historic marriage, which took place nearly six years after the first same-sex weddings in England and Wales, comes after MPs in Westminster voted to extend equality to the region in the face of opposition from the Democratic Unionist Party.

The first same-sex couple to marry in Northern Ireland met with an outpouring of love and support.

The couple’s wedding has been met with love and support online, with LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland and across the world celebrating the incredible moment.

When your big day, is a big day for everyone! Congratulations Sharni & Robyn.

Various LGBT+ organisations have congratulated the happy couple on their historic wedding, including the LGBT Foundation, Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD.

The couple have also received an outpouring of love from LGBT+ people, activists and allies on their big day.

The landmark event is a significant moment for LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland after many waited years for same-sex marriage to come to the territory.

Being married ‘means everything’ to first couple to tie the knot.

Speaking to the media today, Peoples said: “This means everything to us,  to be married, to finally have the opportunity to say, ‘Here’s my wife!’

“We are equal to a man and a woman. Our love is just the same. People might try to say it’s not, but it’s the exact same.”

Edwards said: “We didn’t expect to be the first couple, it’s coincidental. We would have gone ahead with a civil partnership, but when the deal was passed, it was perfect timing and a happy coincidence.”

She added: “We wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for [LGBT campaigners]. We just want to say thank you to everyone who’s fought for this, who has marched and helped us get to this stage.”

Of the media interest, Peoples said: “For Northern Ireland, we need the faces of people to show everyone that it’s OK. We fought long and hard for the opportunity to be seen as equal, and now we’re here, and it’s just amazing. It really is.”

 

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