Transforming equality: feminist and queer perspectives on anti-discrimination law in Northern Ireland since 1998

Abstract

In a moment of constitutional rupture in NI, following ‘Brexit’ and approaching the 25th anniversary of NI’s 1998 peace agreement, this work analyses the contribution of anti- discrimination law to reducing gender and sexual discrimination in NI since 1998. This is a socio-legal project, which engages theory and method from feminist and queer legal studies and takes a mixed-methods approach. It draws its conclusions from synthesising the findings from four key sources of data: qualitative analysis of 28 semi-structured interviews with representatives from civil society and statutory organisations, legal practitioners and women and LGBTQ+ people with experience of discrimination; empirical analysis of Northern Ireland Industrial Tribunal decisions from between 2019-2024; existing statistical data and grey literature and analysis of other primary legal materials. The thesis argues that despite there being an extensive (albeit complex) legal framework aimed at addressing discrimination across NI society, anti-discrimination law is limited in its contribution to reducing gender and sexual discrimination by the complex interplay between its conceptualisation, operationalisation and enforcement and NI’s contemporary political, social and cultural backdrop. The thesis demonstrates the need for future research that explores practical solutions and imaginative possibilities for reducing gender and sexual discrimination through law.