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11/12/2012
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.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said the Church of England and Church in Wales had "explicitly" stated strong opposition to gay marriage. Other denominations, including the Catholic church, have also opposed gay marriage.
The new plans are expected to be introduced before the next election, in 2015.
Some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour of gay marriage.
Mrs Miller has described the measures as a "quadruple lock".
Under the new law, no religious organisation can be forced to marry same-sex couples unless that organisation’s governing body has expressly opted in.
It will be illegal for religious organisations to marry same-sex couples unless expressly opting in to provisions for doing so.
The 2010 Equality Act will now be amended to ensure no discrimination claim can be brought against religious organisations for refusing to marry a same-sex couple.
The legislation will explicitly make it illegal for the Church of England and the Church in Wales to marry same-sex couples.
Many Conservative MPs are against the idea of same-sex marriage, arguing that the concept cannot be 'redefined'.
Some campaign groups that support gay marriage in the UK believe the Culture Secretary has given too much ground over the issue.
(IT)
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.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said the Church of England and Church in Wales had "explicitly" stated strong opposition to gay marriage. Other denominations, including the Catholic church, have also opposed gay marriage.
The new plans are expected to be introduced before the next election, in 2015.
Some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour of gay marriage.
Mrs Miller has described the measures as a "quadruple lock".
Under the new law, no religious organisation can be forced to marry same-sex couples unless that organisation’s governing body has expressly opted in.
It will be illegal for religious organisations to marry same-sex couples unless expressly opting in to provisions for doing so.
The 2010 Equality Act will now be amended to ensure no discrimination claim can be brought against religious organisations for refusing to marry a same-sex couple.
The legislation will explicitly make it illegal for the Church of England and the Church in Wales to marry same-sex couples.
Many Conservative MPs are against the idea of same-sex marriage, arguing that the concept cannot be 'redefined'.
Some campaign groups that support gay marriage in the UK believe the Culture Secretary has given too much ground over the issue.
(IT)
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13 June 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.
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.
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.
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.
05 March 2012
Senior Catholic Attacks Governent's Gay Marriage Plan
The most senior Catholic in the UK has called the government’s plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right". Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”. "Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said.
Senior Catholic Attacks Governent's Gay Marriage Plan
The most senior Catholic in the UK has called the government’s plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right". Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”. "Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said.
20 November 2013
Scottish Same-Sex Marriage Bill Expected To Pass First Vote
Ministers in Scotland are due to vote for the first time on proposed legislation for the introduction of same-sex marriage. According to reports, MSPs are expected to support the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill "in principle", understood the believe that the bill is "the right thing to do".
Scottish Same-Sex Marriage Bill Expected To Pass First Vote
Ministers in Scotland are due to vote for the first time on proposed legislation for the introduction of same-sex marriage. According to reports, MSPs are expected to support the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill "in principle", understood the believe that the bill is "the right thing to do".
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