Menu
13/06/2012
Gay Marriage Gets Ministerial Backing
In the face of continuing criticism and opposition from the Conservative Party and the Church of England, ministers have pledged to push through legislation to give same-sex couples equal rights to get married.
After it emerged that the Home Office has had more than 100,000 responses to its consultation, a petition against gay marriage has been signed by more than half a million people, and a poll by leading gay rights group Stonewall showed that four out of five people under 50 support the move to legalise gay marriage, one of the government's few openly gay minsters appealed for more "calm" in the debate and for supporters of the move to show respect for opponents.
Greg Barker, the Conservative climate minister, said: "What's important is, given how much the world has moved on in a good way in mainstreaming relationships [between gay couples] and how much acceptance there has been, we must now make sure this debate doesn't polarise opinion again and it's conducted in a civil and calm way, and we don't project the worst views of our opponents onto everyone who disagrees with us."
Increasing its opposition Anglican declared that the government proposal could make the church stop carrying out legal weddings, and take a fundamental step towards separating the church and state.
A Downing Street spokesman said the government was "committed to legislate by 2015 – in this parliament". He also said that the proposal set out in the consultation was "very clear that no religious organisation will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages". In fact the consultation goes further, saying: "It will not be legally possible under these proposals for religious organisations to solemnise religious marriages for same-sex couples."
The spokesman said government lawyers were confident that legislation could be drawn up to protect the church against a legal challenge on equality rights for refusing to carry out gay marriages. However some MPs with a legal background expressed concern that this might not be possible.
(H)
After it emerged that the Home Office has had more than 100,000 responses to its consultation, a petition against gay marriage has been signed by more than half a million people, and a poll by leading gay rights group Stonewall showed that four out of five people under 50 support the move to legalise gay marriage, one of the government's few openly gay minsters appealed for more "calm" in the debate and for supporters of the move to show respect for opponents.
Greg Barker, the Conservative climate minister, said: "What's important is, given how much the world has moved on in a good way in mainstreaming relationships [between gay couples] and how much acceptance there has been, we must now make sure this debate doesn't polarise opinion again and it's conducted in a civil and calm way, and we don't project the worst views of our opponents onto everyone who disagrees with us."
Increasing its opposition Anglican declared that the government proposal could make the church stop carrying out legal weddings, and take a fundamental step towards separating the church and state.
A Downing Street spokesman said the government was "committed to legislate by 2015 – in this parliament". He also said that the proposal set out in the consultation was "very clear that no religious organisation will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages". In fact the consultation goes further, saying: "It will not be legally possible under these proposals for religious organisations to solemnise religious marriages for same-sex couples."
The spokesman said government lawyers were confident that legislation could be drawn up to protect the church against a legal challenge on equality rights for refusing to carry out gay marriages. However some MPs with a legal background expressed concern that this might not be possible.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 June 2012
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
12 December 2012
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
11 December 2012
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
15 March 2012
Government Consultation On Gay Marriage Begins
A 12-week consultation on allowing gay marriage is set to be launched by the government. While civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples the government wants to go further by allowing them to make vows and declare that they are married.
Government Consultation On Gay Marriage Begins
A 12-week consultation on allowing gay marriage is set to be launched by the government. While civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples the government wants to go further by allowing them to make vows and declare that they are married.
13 March 2014
Gay Marriage To Become Legal On 29 March
Registration will open on Thursday for first same-sex couplesin England and Wales who want to hold weddings on the day gay marriage becomes legal, 29th March. Gay couples who got married overseas will also be legally recognised from Thursday.
Gay Marriage To Become Legal On 29 March
Registration will open on Thursday for first same-sex couplesin England and Wales who want to hold weddings on the day gay marriage becomes legal, 29th March. Gay couples who got married overseas will also be legally recognised from Thursday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
