Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales
Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales
BBC News – Same-sex couples will be able to get married in England and Wales after new measures became law.
The government’s controversial legislation on the issue received Royal Assent on Wednesday.
The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaderships all backed the proposals, which were finally approved by MPs and peers earlier this week.
It is expected that the first gay and lesbian wedding ceremonies will take place by summer next year.
Under the terms of the the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, religious organisations will have to “opt in” to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church in Wales being banned in law from doing so.
Commons Speaker John Bercow announced the bill had received Royal Assent – the formal approval of the sovereign required for all legislation. The news was greeted with cheers in the Commons chamber.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338279
Churches and gay rights activist alike mark ‘watershed’ moment as gay marriage is legalised
Telegraph – Gay rights activists are celebrating an “historic” moment after same-sex marriage was officially legalised – but churches claimed marriage has been “stripped” of its meaning.
MPs cheered in the House of Commons as it was announced that royal assent had been given to the new Bill, paving the way for the first same-sex weddings next spring.
The Queen, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, gave her formal approval to the Bill – one of the most radical pieces of social legislation of her reign – this afternoon.
But it marks the end of the centuries-old understanding of marriage as being solely between a man and a woman in the UK.
The Roman Catholic Church described it as a “watershed” in English law and said that it marked a “profound social change”.
Ben Summerskill chief executive of Stonewall, said the move would “bring joy to tens of thousands of gay couples and their friends and families.”
Read more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10185567/Churches-and-gay-rights-activist-alike-mark-watershed-moment-as-gay-marriage-is-legalised.html