The UK is moving closer to joining the ranks of nations with marriage equality. The House of Lords approved a marriage bill on Monday evening, clearing the last major hurdle for the law. Supporters of the measure wore pink carnations, and openly gay peer Lord Alli told the chamber, “My life and many others will be better today than it was yesterday.”
The bill goes back to the House of Commons for a final legislative review. Because the House of Commons already approved the bill by a lopsided 390-148 vote, the move is expected to be a formality. Once the measure is final, same-sex marriages would be legal next summer.
Like their American counterparts, right-wing opponents of marriage equality are complaining bitterly about their loss. Colin Hart, chairman of The Coalition for Marriage, warned prime minister David Cameron that he “needs to remember that the Coalition for Marriage has nearly 700,000 supporters, nearly six times the number of members of the Conservative party.” Hart said the new law “threatens one of the foundations of the institution of marriage: fidelity and faithfulness.” Yes, heterosexuals have done a whiz bang job there, as anyone who follows American politics knows.
Photo credit: UK Parliament
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Charlie in Charge
Rule Britannia!
David John
Please do a bit of research before submitting articles. This law only affects England and Wales. Scotland has its own equal marriage bill in Holyrood. Ireland is no closer, Using the ‘UK’ to talk only about England and Wales is lame.
Ashton
As fantastic as this Bill is, it’s not on the verge of becoming law in the UK. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill will become law in England & Wales only, and should gain Royal Assent within the next week or so dependent upon the passage in the Commons this evening. Scotland is currently working on its own Bill for equal marriage, hopefully in 2014 or 2015, and Northern Ireland is lagging sorely behind, with two defeats in Stormont for equal marriage legislation.
2eo
I personally have no problem with referring to England [and Wales] as the UK, the minnows don’t really matter.
Ashton
@2eo: Glad to see you’re taking this news in the spirit of inclusivity that further LGBT gains should inspire.
samwise343
This is terrific news, but why the hell until next summer?
2eo
@Ashton: *Aspire.
Scots, you can’t take them anywhere.
Ashton
@2eo:
Aspire: “to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous”
Inspire: “to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence”
In the original context of my remark, I’m pretty sure it’s inspire. And I’m Northern Irish,, thank you for asking, but I certainly wouldn’t take my Scottish boyfriend anywhere. But we are getting rather off course 🙂 Thank goodness that common sense has prevailed, Queenie will give her assent in the next few days and English & Welsh LGB couples will be able to have equal marriage. After that, we just need to ensure that Trans couples and Scottish and Northern Irish couples will be able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms.