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Gay rights in Ireland: Some milestones

Drag queen and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill, known by his stage name as Panti Bliss, during the Republic's referendum on same-sex marriage. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Drag queen and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill, known by his stage name as Panti Bliss, during the Republic's referendum on same-sex marriage. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Drag queen and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill, known by his stage name as Panti Bliss, during the Republic's referendum on same-sex marriage. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

LESBIAN, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people across Ireland have had a long fight for their rights to be recognised. Here are some milestones:

1982 - Same-sex sexual activity decriminalised in the north - 15 years after the law was changed in Britain

1993 - Same-sex sexual activity decriminalised in the Republic

2000 - Age of consent for gay people in the north lowered from 21 to 17

2005 - Civil partnerships between same sex couples recognised in north and Britain

2008 - Age of consent for heterosexuals and homosexuals in the north lowered to 16

2011 - Republic recognises civil partnerships

2015 - Republic becomes the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage via a popular vote

2015 - The right to change legal gender is enshrined in the Republic's laws

2017 - Gay men are allowed to donate blood in the Republic