In January 2020, same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland, following a change in the law by the British Parliament. The change, which was implemented after the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly, was a significant step towards equality. The legalization of same-sex marriage was a landmark moment in the social history of Northern Ireland.

The legalization of same-sex marriage is a subject of celebratory poetry, with writers hailing the event as a sign of progress. The change is often contrasted with the conservative values of the past, creating a sense of hope. The poetry of the period reflects the changing social landscape of Northern Ireland, a theme that would persist in the literature of the 2020s.