Ethnonationalism and attitudes towards same-sex marriage and abortion in Northern Ireland

AuthorBernadette C Hayes,John Nagle
Date01 September 2019
DOI10.1177/0192512118775832
Published date01 September 2019
Subject MatterArticles
https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512118775832
International Political Science Review
2019, Vol. 40(4) 455 –469
© The Author(s) 2018
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DOI: 10.1177/0192512118775832
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Ethnonationalism and attitudes
towards same-sex marriage and
abortion in Northern Ireland
Bernadette C Hayes
University of Aberdeen, UK
John Nagle
University of Aberdeen, UK
Abstract
The issue of sexuality and human rights has generated increasing international attention in recent years. This
is particularly the case in societies emerging from chronic ethnonationalist conflict, where scholarly debates
on the impact of ethnonationalism on sexual rights, such as abortion and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender people (LGBT), generate much controversy and division. It is with this disagreement in mind
that this paper focuses on the influence of ethnonationalism on attitudes towards the legalisation of same-
sex marriage and abortion. Using nationally representative data from Northern Ireland, the results suggest
that while ethnonational identity is a significant positive determinant of attitudes towards same-sex marriage
within both the Catholic population and among supporters of their main political party (Sinn Féin), it is also
a key negative predictor of attitudes to abortion, albeit solely among Sinn Féin supporters.
Keywords
Abortion, conflict, ethnonationalism, LGBT community, Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage, sexual rights,
Sinn Féin
Introduction
International human rights bodies, including those of the United Nations (UN), are directing
increasing attention to both the reproductive rights of women and the rights of the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.1 As recently as September 2016, a group of UN human
rights experts called on states to repeal restrictive laws and policies in relation to abortion (Special
Procedures of the Human Rights Council, 2016). Arguing that these ‘laws and policies violate
Corresponding author:
Bernadette C Hayes, Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research, School of Social Science, University of
Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Aberdeen, Scotland AB24 3QY, UK.
Email: b.hayes@abdn.ac.uk
775832IPS0010.1177/0192512118775832International Political Science ReviewHayes and Nagle
research-article2018
Article

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