UK Parliament have voted in favour of marriage equality in Northern Ireland.

The country, which was left behind when the Republic of Ireland ushered in same-sex marriage back in 2014, won the vote by 393 to 73. Byyyeee homophobes! And they also extended the ruling of access to abortions.

It was Labour MPs who pushed for both of the rulings to go ahead, claiming that the government’s argument – which stated that changes could only be made by Northern Ireland’s government Stormont – was invalid, amid its dissolution back in 2017.

John Penrose, Northern Ireland’s minister, said that the changes would come with a multitude of complications, but still voted in favour of both.

The law will automatically change within three months, if the country’s government was not rebuilt. When it is, they can then vote to approve or repeal the change.

“But if Stormont still isn’t functioning by then, the LGBT community in Northern Ireland will know that Westminster will act to ensure equality and respect for all citizens, and finally give them the right to marry the person they love,” said Conor McGuinn, longstanding equality campaigner and Labour MP.

Stella Creasy, who put forward the argument for abortion rights, tweeted:

“Thank you to everyone who today stood up for equality in Northern Ireland – whether for same-sex marriage or abortion, today we have said everyone in the UK deserves to be treated as an equal. There’s a road to go yet but today a big step forward.”

[H/t: Instinct]