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