DUP supports ‘traditional definition’ of marriage

THE three most senior DUP elected representatives in Upper Bann have spoken of their support for the what they call the “traditional definition of marriage” and of their opposition to plans to introduce “gay marriage” in the UK.

Speaking ahead of the resumption of Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly, Upper Bann MP David Simpson and MLAs Stephen Moutray and Sydney Anderson said, “The summer recess for both the House of Commons and NI Assembly is now drawing to a close.

“The issue of the Coalition Government’s proposals to redefine marriage has been an issue of considerable discussion over the summer. Many local people have expressed their concerns on this issue to us in a personal capacity and we have consistently indicated to them where we stand on this.

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“As Parliament and the NI Assembly prepare to return we thought that now would be an opportune time for us to set out before the wider community our support for the traditional definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

“It is our shared view that there is no legal, political, social or moral necessity for the kind of re-definition proposed by the Coalition Government.

“Each of us has signed the petition in support of the traditional definition of marriage organised by the Coalition for Marriage. We did so to show our support for the campaign to retain the traditional definition of marriage.

“It is our intention whether at Parliament or at the NI Assembly to continue to support the campaign to keep the traditional definition of marriage. We will also oppose plans to redefine marriage to allow for ‘gay marriage’, and if necessary we will vote against any proposals to change it.”