A couple laughing during their handfasting at a humanist wedding on the north coast

For the one life we have

Bringing non-religious people together for a kinder, more rational society.Through our ceremonies, pastoral support, work in schools, and campaigning at Stormont and in the courts, we’re working to advance free thinking and kindness in Northern Ireland.

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We’re campaigning on…

Fair and inclusive schoolsWe want an end to religious discrimination in admissions, a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches about religions and non-religious views without telling children what to believe, and assemblies every child can take part in.More about our work in schoolsOur work in schools
Freedom of speechWe want to uphold free speech and set a positive international example by abolishing Northern Ireland’s outdated blasphemy law.More about our work on human rights issuesOur human rights work
LGBT+ equalityWe want to abolish harmful conversion practices and uphold anti-discrimination laws across Northern Ireland.More about our work on equalityOur equality work
5,000+legal humanist marriages since 2018
1 in 7marriages in Northern Ireland are now humanist
59wedding celebrants across Northern Ireland
11volunteer speakers visiting schools

The non-religious voice in Northern Ireland’s public life

We give evidence to Assembly committees, respond to consultations, and brief MLAs from every party. If you’re working on a policy that affects non-religious people, talk to us.

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Evidence and briefingsCommittee evidence, consultation responses, and briefings on education, equality, and health.Read our submissionsMedia enquiriesComment, data, and spokespeople on religion and belief in Northern Ireland.Ask for commentPartnersWe work with equality, LGBT, education, and human rights organisations across NI.Work with us

Latest news

28 October 2026 Boyd Sleator talks humanism on the Give My Head Podcast All news

Coming up

Everything on in Northern IrelandAll NI events
Two brides laughing as they read their vows at a humanist wedding Hands holding a printed humanist wedding ceremony script

Humanist weddings, legally recognised

Since 2018, humanist weddings in Northern Ireland have been legally binding, for same-sex and opposite-sex couples alike. Your celebrant writes the ceremony with you, from scratch.

Our celebrants also lead funerals that honour the life someone really lived, and naming ceremonies to welcome a new arrival into the family.

Find a wedding celebrantFind a celebrant About humanist ceremonies in Northern IrelandAbout ceremonies
A Northern Ireland wedding story From lough to living room: Orla and Martin’s small, secret, and special humanist wedding

Meet humanists near you

Members laughing together at a Northern Ireland Humanists dinner
Belfast talks and socials Talks, our annual conference, and evenings out, open to members and anyone curious. Belfast meet-ups
Bangor Humanists Next: November Curry Club, Thursday 12 November Bangor Humanists
People walking across the Peace Bridge in Derry~Londonderry
No group near you yet? We’d love to help you start one, in the north west, Fermanagh, or anywhere in Northern Ireland. Start a local group

What we’ve changed together

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18962026
Check out the full history on Humanist Heritage
  1. 2017 The first legally recognised humanist wedding in Northern Ireland
  2. 2018 The Supreme Court finds Northern Ireland’s abortion law breaches human rights
  3. 2019 Abortion is decriminalised and same-sex marriage becomes law
  4. 2025 The Supreme Court rules that exclusively Christian RE is indoctrination
  5. 2026 MLAs vote to repeal Northern Ireland’s blasphemy laws
  6. 2026 The Conversion Practices Ban Bill passes a key vote at Stormont

Our roots here go back centuries

Northern Ireland has a remarkable humanist heritage, from Enlightenment freethinkers and the Belfast Ethical Society to campaigners for civil rights, secularism, and inclusive education. Discover it on foot, or explore the people and places with Humanist Heritage.

Civil rights mural in Derry~Londonderry
Boyd Sleator

Talk to us in Belfast

Boyd Sleator is our Northern Ireland Coordinator. He has led our campaigns for legal humanist marriage, abortion law reform, and the repeal of the blasphemy laws, and the JR87 case on religious education that went to the Supreme Court.

Email BoydMeet the team
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