15 inspiring pics from today’s marriage equality rally in Belfast

Thousands of people have turned out for marriage equality rallies in Northern Ireland today.

The protests are taking place now in Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, as well as the country’s second largest city, Derry.

Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where two people of the same sex can’t marry.

Ahead of the rally, Belfast’s Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister told BBC News: ‘We’re doing this yet again just a year after our last rally for marriage equality.’

She furthermore added: ‘We’re doing this because people are angry, they want marriage equality now why are we so different from the rest of the UK and the rest of the island of Ireland.’

‘People want equality across this whole island and across the entirety of the UK.’

‘Things change’

Last month, iconic singer Elton John cited Northern Ireland’s recent vote to end its abortion ban as an example for minds changing.

He said: ‘Look what just happened in Ireland: the vote for abortion. Things change. People … they change their mind. And with a younger generation coming up, they are different kind of people, and they’re our future.’