The North? It's Complicated...
In 2005, the Belfast-based writer and queer activist Shannon Sickels made history alongside her partner, Grainne Close, as the first public UK civil partnership. All these years later in 2018, Shannon and Grainne are still battling for equal rights and equal marriage. A momentous deadline looms for Northern Ireland, a date which could have a massive impact on the lives of its LGBT+ community for years to come. The author explains. Illustrations by SOAK