Ulster Homosexuals To Take U.k. Govt To Court Of... (Press, 28 March 1978)

A Belfast man, known only as "Mr X," is set to take the British Government to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming discrimination against homosexuals in Northern Ireland. This case has emerged after a year-long deliberation, with the European court deciding that there is a legitimate matter to address, leading to a hearing scheduled for later in 1978 in Strasbourg. Mr X, associated with the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, argues that while homosexual acts are legal in the rest of the United Kingdom, consenting adults in Northern Ireland can face life imprisonment for the same acts. The gay rights group believes the situation is so unjust that it anticipates the British Government will quickly enact legislation to align Northern Ireland's laws on homosexuality with those of the rest of Britain. However, this move faces strong opposition from both Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders in Northern Ireland. Notably, the Rev. Ian Paisley, a prominent Protestant figure, has spearheaded a petition titled “save Ulster from sodomy,” which has garnered over 20,000 signatures and is intended for the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Roy Mason. The Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association is optimistic that a ruling in their favour from the European court could compel the British Government to establish a charter that protects the rights of homosexuals, akin to similar legislation in the United States, which prohibits discrimination against them in employment and housing. Beyond the issues of homosexuality, Northern Ireland’s laws are reportedly out of sync with those in the rest of the United Kingdom in several domains. While facing resistance from the Roman Catholic Church, the British authorities are concurrently looking to expedite divorce processes and are contemplating legalising abortion. They have already amended rape laws to be consistent with those in Britain. The British Government has also demonstrated a willingness to trial new legislation in Northern Ireland, which may eventually be implemented across the United Kingdom. Current laws permit the government to recover public debts, such as unpaid rents and utility bills, through deductions from social service benefits and wages. Additionally, commencing July 1978, motorists will be required to wear seat belts in Northern Ireland, facing penalties for non-compliance, as part of a government experiment aimed at assessing road safety measures. The case initiated by Mr X has been acknowledged by the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, who received notification of the hearing acceptance from the Human Rights Commission in Strasbourg, further underscoring the significance of this legal challenge and its implications for the future of gay rights in the region.

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