Gay marriage now has overwhelming support in Northern Ireland - poll

...And you're more likely to back it if you're Catholic and living in Belfast

Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye
Saturday 13th June 2015 - Amnesty International March for Equality
Pictured is the Amnesty International March for Equality as it makes its way through Belfast City Centre. Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye — Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Saturday 13th June 2015 - Amnesty International March for Equality Pictured is the Amnesty International March for Equality as it makes its way through Belfast City Centre. Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Thousands of people attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. (Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press)

Amnesty International March for Equality as it makes its way through Belfast City Centre. Saturday 13th June 2015 Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Ellie McEaveney and Meabh Neeson giving their support to Gay marriage as thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

The Amnesty International March for Equality as it makes its way through Belfast City Centre. Saturday 13th June 2015 Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye Saturday 13th June 2015 - Amnesty International March for Equality Pictured is the Amnesty International March for Equality as it makes its way through Belfast City Centre. Picture - Kevin Scott / Presseye

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Pictured are long term civil partners Cathrine Couvert and Sally Bridge.Thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Pictured is Canon Charles Kenny. Thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Pictured giving her support to Gay marriage is Aibhrean Black as thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Pictured are Ellie McEaveney and Meabh Neeson giving their support to Gay marriage as thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Pacemaker press 13/6/15 Pictured is John Doherty of the Rainbow project. Thousands of people have attended a march in Belfast, calling for the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. The march began at Writer's Square and moved towards Belfast City Hall, where a rally was held.The organisers said Northern Ireland is "out on a limb" as the only part of the UK and Ireland not to change its laws. The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the issue four times, and each time MLAs rejected same-sex marriage. Picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

By Claire Cromie

July 6 2015 2:25 PM

An overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland now back same-sex marriage, according to a new Ipsos MORI poll.

Support appears to have increased since the Republic of Ireland's referendum - and the results show that even more people here would vote 'Yes' than in the south.

The latest survey found that 68% of adults in Northern Ireland believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry - compared to the 62.1% 'Yes' vote in the Republic.

The figure rises to 82% among 16 to 34-year-olds and 75% support among 35 to 54-year-olds, but falls to 47% among those aged 55 and over.

Last month thousands of people marched through Belfast in a rally for marriage equality. Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK or Ireland where gay couples are denied civil marriage.

Amnesty International has said the figures show Northern Ireland's politicians are "badly out of step with ordinary people" on the issue.

“The people have spoken and it’s clear they don't want Northern Ireland to be left behind on marriage equality," said Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty's Northern Ireland programme director.

“Continuing resistance to bringing Northern Ireland in step with all our neighbours is unacceptable. It’s high time Northern Ireland said a big ‘we do too’ to equality.

"The Stormont Executive should bring forward marriage equality legislation without further delay.”

The poll found that people living in Greater Belfast are more likely to back gay marriage than those living in other areas of Northern Ireland - at 75% versus 63% respectively.

Meanwhile, those from a Catholic background are more inclined to voice support for gay marriage, with three quarters (75%) agreeing that homosexual couples should be able to get married, compared to 57% of those from a Protestant community background.

The data also highlighted differing views on this subject depending on the political party participants voted for in May’s Westminster Election.

Support is highest among those who voted for Sinn Fein (80%), Alliance (79%) and SDLP (61%), compared to 49% of UUP voters and 45% of DUP voters.

Attitudes appear to have changed significantly since a 2014 Belfast Telegraph/Lucid Talk poll. Then, 50.5% were found to be in support with 49.5% opposing gay marriage.

Ipsos MORI's 2015 poll interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 16+ across Northern Ireland. Interviews were conducted face-to-face between May 20 and June 8 2015. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.

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