Thank you for your letter in relation to the Marriage Equality motion at the Stormont Assembly on 2 November.

I want to thank you for raising your voice on this crucial issue of justice and equality.

I can assure you that I will be voting yes when this motion comes before MLAs.

I am a firm believer in the power of diversity to transform Belfast and in that respect the LGBT community has been a boon to this city.

Last week in Berlin I was humbled to accept the Tolerantia Laureate Award, at the nomination of the Rainbow Project, in recognition of my advocacy for the LGBT community when Lord Mayor of Belfast. You can see my comments at the awards ceremony here but suffice to say that i will remain an ambassador for LGBT issues, not least marriage equality.

Go dté tú slán,

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir