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GOVERNMENT TO LEGISLATE ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE
TOM FRENCH
BEN SUMMERSKILL
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the LGB equality charity
Stonewall, said: “We’re delighted about the government’s
statement today and welcome the promise to legislate for equal
marriage as warmly as on the three previous occasions that this
announcement has been made. We’re particularly pleased that
ministers have been persuaded to extend their original proposal
in order to permit same-sex marriages for those religious denominations that wish
to hold them. This is an important matter of religious freedom. While we fully
respect the point of view of those who oppose the government’s plans, our advice
to them remains that if you don’t approve of same-sex marriage, then just make
sure you don’t get married to someone of the same sex.”
Tom French, Policy Co-ordinator for the Equality Network in
Scotland, said: “We welcome the decision to legalise same-sex
marriage in England and Wales, which will give a boost to similar
plans already announced in Scotland. This is a simple matter of
equality and religious freedom. LGBT people deserve equal rights
under the law including the right to get married to the person
they love. Equally religious bodies should have the freedom to choose for
themselves whether or not they conduct same-sex marriages, currently all religious
bodies are wrongly banned from doing so regardless of their beliefs. The UK
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade, said: “I have
been in favour of same-sex marriage from the beginning and
am heartened that senior Conservatives like Sir John Major have
now added their backing to the campaign. There are certainly
sensitivities to bear in mind if we are to bring as many people as
possible with us on this. Nevertheless, I do believe that we will
look back one day and feel shocked that equal marriage was
banned in the first place.”
Adrian Trett, Chair of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, said: “The
Liberal Democrats were the first major party to adopt marriage
equality as policy, and it's great to now see support across the
political spectrum for the Government delivering this. We are
particularly pleased that the Government is allowing willing faith
organisations to conduct same-sex marriages - this is a
decision which should not be taken by Government."
LGBT+ Liberal Democrats have expressed concerns, however, over the lack of
plans to extend civil partnerships to mixed-sex couples. The group point out this
will lead to couples in civil partnership being forced to dissolve the relationship if
one partner undergoes legal gender change, which will not be the case for
married couples. They have briefed the party's MPs and will be examining the full
legislation carefully to see where it differs from the party's equal marriage policy,
in order to consider legislative amendments.
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion expressed her
disappointment with the planned limitations. She said: “As a
long standing campaigner for LGBT equality, I welcome the
Government's proposals as a positive step towards equal
marriage, and am pleased that some faiths which wish to marry
LGBT couples may choose to do so. With MPs being given a
free vote on the subject, I hope that the majority in Parliament
will recognise that this is a clear human rights issue and use their vote to support
the freedom to marry equally.
“However, it's deeply disappointing that the proposals would ban Catholic Church
and Church of England clergy from conducting marriage for same-sex couples, as
well as preventing opposite-sex couples from accessing civil partnerships.
“This is a question of equal love - it is not about asking for special treatment for
gay couples or straight couples - it's about everyone enjoying the same rights
regardless of their sexuality."
LYNN FEATHERSTONE MP
SIMON KIRBY MP
ADRIAN TRETT
Last month the Prime Minister David Cameron, MP said that he believed samesex marriages should be allowed in churches - but only if there was a guarantee
that no church, synagogue or mosque would be forced to hold one against their
wishes. He indicated he would be voting in support. Other senior Tories, including
Education Secretary Michael Gove MP London Mayor, Boris Johnson, former
,
Prime Minister John Major and Nick Herbert MP have also publicly backed
same-sex marriage by religious bodies to counter the vocal number of Tory back
benchers who had recently made their opposition to the legislation clear.
Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven, said: “As a
long standing supporter of equal marriage I am delighted that
the Government has brought forward proposals to make this
important institution open to everyone, regardless of their
sexuality. It sends out an important message about equality in
21st Century Britain, and I am proud of the fact that it is a
Conservative Prime Minister making this historic change.
“There is overwhelming support for a change in the law to allow same sex
marriage, with a recent Ipsos-MORI poll showing that 73% of voters support equal
marriage. It is right that religious institutions who want to conduct same sex
marriages are permitted to do so, and at the same time churches that don’t want
to conduct them will not be forced to do so. The Government has struck the right
balance between individual liberty and religious freedom and I look forward to the
legislation being introduced to the House of Commons early next year.”
Lynn Featherstone, MP Former Minister for Equalities,
,
concluded: "It’s been an amazing day for equality today as the
Coalition Government announced it will introduce legislation to
open marriage up to same-sex couples. I am so proud of our
Party because – don’t let anyone fool you – it’s because of
Liberal Democrats that this is happening. It’s been a proud day
for me and you should feel proud too."
Maria Miller MP said: “I am absolutely clear that no religious
organisation will ever be forced to conduct marriages for samesex couples,