Raven Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 The bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in England and Wales has passed its final hurdle in Parliament. The government legislation is now due to get royal assent, after which it is likely to become law later this week. The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaderships all backed the bill, after the Lords approved the changes on Monday. 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. MPs decided not to oppose a number of minor changes agreed by the House of Lords. Among these were protections for transgender couples, which will allow people to change sex and remain married. There will also be a review of whether groups such as the humanists will be allowed to carry out marriages, while ministers said they were prepared to look at eliminating any difference in the treatment of gay couples when it came to pension schemes. During the Commons debate, equalities minister Maria Miller said people should be free to marry "regardless of sexuality or gender". The passing of the bill was "clear affirmation" that "respect for each and every person is paramount, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexuality", she added. But Conservative MP Sir Gerald Howarth, one of the bill's opponents, said it was "astonishing that a bill for which there is absolutely no mandate, against which a majority of Conservatives voted, has been bulldozed through both Houses". He added: "I think the government should think very carefully in future if they want the support of these benches. Offending large swathes of the Conservative Party is not a good way of going about it." But Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: "It's wonderful to see same-sex marriage achieve legal recognition. Quakers see the light of God in everyone so we respect the inherent worth of each individual and each loving relationship." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338279 Taste the rainbow, motherfuckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) As I recall, didn't Scotland already sign the same sort of thing recently? Edited July 17, 2013 by Kelsper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) As I recall, didn't Scotland already sign the same sort of thing recently? They have passed the bill, but that's essentially just a proposal. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/06/same-sex-marriage-27062013 Should the Bill reach Royal Assent in early 2014, it is anticipated that the first same sex marriages will take place in 2015. It will take around 12 months to put the legislation in place. Edited July 17, 2013 by Raven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrostyFireMage Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) This is all wrong! If gays get married, the institution of marriage will be destroyed! Societies will crumble, rivers will run with blood! NAZIS WILL ONCE AGAIN RIDE DINOSAURS! ...Just kidding. This is great news. And if you understood what I was referencing before, you're awesome. Edited July 17, 2013 by Frosty Fire Mage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 They have passed the bill, but that's essentially just a proposal. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/06/same-sex-marriage-27062013 Alright, just wasn't sure. Regardless, good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueFire Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I think Generation Y will cause the whole US to also legalize gay-marriage. Just like when white kids grew up with other races and saw nothing wrong with it, today's youth sees homosexuality as a normal part of society and their viewpoint will be the common one. Some churches are even starting to their interpretations to excuse it. Next up is marijuana. I started this 13-page thread, starting off asking what the strong reasons against legalizing gay marriage are. http://serenesforest.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=39748 I didn't reply, but I didn't find a convincing reason to outlaw it, either. I am under the impression that there isn't a strong enough argument at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psych Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 It's as if the Church of England wasn't created for long standing heterosexual relationships or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Great job, you lucky sods! also Among these were protections for transgender couples, which will allow people to change sex and remain married. Here's hoping your conservatives deal with it gracefully. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadykid Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 UK with the super drawn-out timeframe, marriages don't actually begin until around the same time next year which place is next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) Here's hoping your conservatives deal with it gracefully. :p Yep pretty much. [spoiler=language... and extreme stupidity] those nasty celts. I'm sorta wondering how he thinks the US is more liberal than the UK, honestly. also props for Gorillaz. Edited July 19, 2013 by Kelsper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iridium Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Well, yes, of course the US is more liberal than the UK. I went out today in Texas and got, like, seven gay marriages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) Well, yes, of course the US is more liberal than the UK. I went out today in Texas and got, like, seven gay marriages. And after that you used your public national healthcare system? Edited July 19, 2013 by Kelsper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadykid Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 And after that you used your public national healthcare system? at least our economy is better, lolausterity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) at least our economy is better, lolausterity Can't win 'em all; conservative government. tho I'd rather be poor than dying or in debt from huge medical bills, just sayin' Edited July 19, 2013 by Kelsper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fala Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 This is all wrong! If gays get married, the institution of marriage will be destroyed! Societies will crumble, rivers will run with blood! NAZIS WILL ONCE AGAIN RIDE DINOSAURS! ...Just kidding. This is great news. And if you understood what I was referencing before, you're awesome. I get the reference! Nice... On topic, hell yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yay4Saturday Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Wow what progress. Now I hope the government fix the economy and sort this big mess out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duskbird Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Gay marriage supported! Lesbians, oh my. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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