Northern ireland set to legalize abortion same sex marriage

That's a great update! Yes, it's true that Northern Ireland is set to legalize abortion and same-sex marriage. Here's a brief summary of the developments:

Abortion Reform:

In October 2019, the UK Parliament passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act, which effectively legalized abortion in Northern Ireland. The law allows for abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions for later terminations in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities or where the woman's life or physical health is at risk.

Prior to this, abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland, except in cases where the woman's life was at risk or where there was a risk of serious permanent injury to her physical or mental health.

Same-Sex Marriage:

In May 2020, the UK Parliament passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act, which also legalized same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. The law allows same-sex couples to get married in Northern Ireland, just like in the rest of the UK.

Prior to this, same-sex marriage was not legally recognized in Northern Ireland, although some couples had entered into civil partnerships.

Background:

These changes were made possible due to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2017, which led to direct rule from Westminster. The UK Government took the opportunity to pass legislation to address some of the outstanding issues in Northern Ireland, including abortion and same-sex marriage.

Reactions:

The legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage has been welcomed by many in Northern Ireland, including women's rights groups, LGBTQ+ organizations, and some political parties. However, there has also been opposition from some religious groups and anti-abortion campaigners.

Overall, these changes mark an important step forward for women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights in Northern Ireland, and reflect a growing trend towards greater equality and inclusivity in the region.