But while this is a landmark decision, where a very slim majority of Assembly members voted in favor, it was still vetoed by the homophobic politicians that make up the Democratic Unionist Party.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK or Ireland that does not allow same-sex marriage.
At Stormont, 53 MLAs voted for and 51 against a motion that called on the Northern Ireland Executive to introduce marriage equality legislation.
The DUP lodged a ‘petition of concern’, effectively blocking the successful vote.
Speaking after the vote, Director of The Rainbow Project, John O’Doherty said: ‘We are absolutely elated today. We cannot overstate the impact this vote will have on our community across Northern Ireland. I want to sincerely thank all those MLAs who voted in favour of the motion today; those who have supported marriage equality from the start and particularly those who have gone on a journey in their support.
‘It is true that the DUP have abused the petition of concern to block this vote and are now ignoring the will of the Assembly and the people of Northern Ireland but we will not allow them to dampen our joy today. Our campaign continues and it will not end until marriage equality is a reality for everyone in Northern Ireland.
‘Today’s majority vote marks another landmark victory in our campaign and we celebrate with our LGBT friends, our families and our supporters on this momentous day.’
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Programme Director, said: ‘Today’s vote is a significant milestone on the journey to marriage equality in Northern Ireland. It shows that, slowly but surely, politicians are catching up with public opinion here, which has been in favor of equal marriage for same-sex couples for some years.
‘However, the abuse of the Petition of Concern, to hold back rather than uphold the rights of a minority group, means that Stormont has once again failed to keep pace with equality legislation elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.
‘The battle for equality in Northern Ireland will now move to the Courts, where same-sex couples have been forced to go to secure their rights as equal citizens in this country.’
In a statement made today, gay actor Sir Ian McKellen joined the numerous voices for equality in Northern Ireland.
‘Northern Irish people should not be the victims at home of specious arguments in favor of inequality,’ Sir Ian said. They should not have to travel to Britain nor to the Republic, to be treated equally.
‘Just as coming out as a gay person, changes one’s life entirely for the better, coming out as a country, in favor of equality, will bring credit to the entire citizenry, regardless of their sexuality or gender.
‘I hope the vote will give us all a chance to celebrate the unity of civil rights already enjoyed by LGBT people in adjacent countries.’
And Dr Richard O’Leary of Faith in Marriage Equality said: ‘As persons of Faith in Marriage Equality share in the joy that the Northern Ireland Assembly has supported a motion to extend civil marriage to same sex couples.
‘We witnessed today many politicians with a religious faith who voted for civil marriage equality and who are able to distinguish between civil and religious marriage.
‘Unfortunately, a fundamentalist Christian rump are still vetoing the democratic wish of the people for a more inclusive Northern Ireland.’
Two court challenges to Northern Ireland’s ban on same-sex marriages will be heard in the courts in Belfast in November and December.
According to recent polls, 68% of Northern Ireland are in favor of same-sex marriage.
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