Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales

July 17, 2013
Jim Naughton

From the BBC News report that the law has its final approval:

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.

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tgflux

July 17, 2013 6:29 pm

Rather a “…but don’t frighten the horses!” eh, Tom?

“Like a Mighty Tortoise

Moves the Church of God.

[Anglican] Christians, we are trodding

Where we’ve always trod.”

}-p

JC Fisher

But re the Queen and her Assent? God bless ‘er! 😉

Paul Woodrum

July 17, 2013 1:38 pm

Good enough for dissenters and Recusants (fat chance) but not the Queen’s own?

Tom Sramek Jr

July 17, 2013 1:37 pm

Is it just me, or does anyone find it extremely ironic, or at least very odd, that the established church in England is prohibited from “opting in” to a law that has parliamentary and royal approval? It is almost as if parliament and the Queen are saying “Oh, by all means get married, just don’t let me catch you doing so in church!”

Not what I’d call a great evangelistic strategy.

wpDiscuz

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