Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom

Part of the LGBTQ rights series

Legal status of
same-sex unions

Marriage

* Andorra
* Argentina
* Australia
* Austria
* Belgium
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Denmark
* Ecuador
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Liechtenstein
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Mexico
* Netherlands[i]
* New Zealand[ii]
* Norway
* Portugal
* Slovenia
* South Africa
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* United Kingdom[iii]
* United States[iv]
* Uruguay

Recognized

* Israel[v]
* United States:[iv]
* • American Samoa

Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage

* Bolivia
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Hungary
* Italy
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* San Marino
* United Kingdom:
* • Bermuda
* • Cayman Islands

Minimal recognition

* Bulgaria[vi]
* Cambodia[vii]
* China[viii]
* • Hong Kong[ix]
* India[x]
* Japan[xi]
* Namibia[xii]
* Nepal
* Netherlands:[i]
* • Sint Maarten
* Poland[vi]
* Romania[vi][xiii]
* Slovakia[vi]

See also

* Same-sex union legislation
* Same-sex union court cases
* Timeline of same-sex marriage
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
* Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania
* Marriage privatization
* Divorce of same-sex couples
* Domestic partnership
* Military policy
* Adoption
* Listings by country
* LGBTQ rights by country or territory

Notes

1. ^ a b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
2. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
3. ^ Same-sex marriage is also legal in the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Jersey, and the British Overseas Territories of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Same-sex marriage is neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
4. ^ a b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations of the US. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
5. ^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights in Israel. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
6. ^ a b c d The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
7. ^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
8. ^ Guardianship agreements confer some limited legal benefits in China, including decisions about medical and personal care.
9. ^ Hong Kong provides inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
10. ^ Indian courts have recognized guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
11. ^ Most Japanese cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
12. ^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse provide residency rights in Namibia.
13. ^ Romania provides hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.

LGBTQ portal

* v
* t
* e

Same-sex marriage is legal in all parts of the United Kingdom. As marriage is a devolved legislative matter, different parts of the United Kingdom legalised at different times; it has been recognised and performed in England and Wales since March 2014, in Scotland since December 2014, and in Northern Ireland since January 2020. Civil partnerships, which offer most, but not all, of the rights and benefits of marriage, have been recognised since 2005. The United Kingdom was the 27th country in the world and the sixteenth in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Polling suggests that a majority of British people support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.[1][2][3][4]

* Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July 2013 and took effect on 13 March 2014. The first same-sex marriages took place on 29 March 2014.[5]
* Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland was passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2014 and took effect on 16 December 2014.[6] The first marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples previously in civil partnerships occurred on 16 December.[7] The first marriage ceremonies for couples not in civil partnerships occurred on 31 December 2014.[8]
* Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July 2019 and took effect on 13 January 2020.[9] The first same-sex marriage ceremony took place on 11 February 2020.[10]

Same-sex marriage is legal in eight of the fourteen British Overseas Territories. It has been recognised in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands since 2014, Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory (for UK military personnel only) since 3 June 2014, the Pitcairn Islands since 14 May 2015, the British Antarctic Territory since 13 October 2016, Gibraltar since 15 December 2016, the Falkland Islands since 29 April 2017, and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha since 20 December 2017.[a] Same-sex marriage was formerly legal in Bermuda from 2017 to 2022, where domestic partnerships have been available to same-sex couples since 1 June 2018. Civil partnerships were legalised in the Cayman Islands on 4 September 2020.

Same-sex marriage is legal in the Crown Dependencies. It has been recognised and performed in the Isle of Man since 22 July 2016, in Jersey since 1 July 2018, and in the Bailiwick of Guernsey at different times: in Guernsey since 2 May 2017, in Alderney since 14 June 2018, and in Sark since 23 April 2020.

## History

[edit]

Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories, the Crown Dependencies, and administrative territories

Marriage

Marriage for expat personnel and dependents only

British sovereignty not recognised internationally

Domestic partnerships

Limited domestic recognition

Unrecognised

A Isle of Man; B Guernsey; C Jersey; 1 United Kingdom; 2 Gibraltar; 3 Akrotiri and Dhekelia; 4 Bermuda; 5 Turks and Caicos Islands; 6 British Virgin Islands; 7 Anguilla; 8 Cayman Islands; 9 Montserrat; 10 Pitcairn Islands; 11 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; 12 British Indian Ocean Territory; 13 Falkland Islands; 14 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; (15) British Antarctic Territory

### Legal history

[edit]

In common law, a marriage between persons of the same sex was void ab initio. In 1680, Arabella Hunt married "James Howard"; in 1682 the marriage was annulled on the ground that Howard was in fact Amy Poulter, a "perfect woman in all her parts", and two women could not validly marry.[11] On 30 March 1834, Anne Lister and Ann Walker were married at the Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate in York, and thereafter considered themselves married, but without legal recognition. The church has been described as "an icon for what is interpreted as the site of the first lesbian marriage to be held in Britain", and the building now hosts a commemorative blue plaque.[12] The couple lived together at Shibden Hall until Lister's death in 1840. In 1866, in Hyde v Hyde and Woodmansee (a case of polygamy), Lord Penzance's judgment began: "Marriage as understood in Christendom is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others."[13]

In Talbot (otherwise Poyntz) v Talbot in 1967, the prohibition was held to extend where one spouse was a post-operative transsexual, with Justice Roger Ormrod stating: "Marriage is a relationship which depends on sex, not on gender".[14][15] In 1971, the Nullity of Marriage Act was passed, explicitly banning marriages between same-sex couples in England and Wales.[16] The parliamentary debates on the 1971 act included discussion on the issue of transsexualism but not homosexuality.[17]

The 1971 act was later replaced by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which also declared that a marriage was void if the parties were not respectively male and female.[18] Prohibition of same-sex marriages was also included in the marriage legislation of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Marriage Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 stated there was a legal impediment to marriage if the parties were of the same sex, but the Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 removed this provision. The Marriage Act (Scotland) 1977 had a similar legal impediment, but following the passage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014, the act no longer prohibits marriages if both parties are of the same sex.[19][20]

On 17 July 2013, royal assent was granted to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.[b] On 10 December 2013, Her Majesty's Government announced that the first same-sex marriages would take place from 29 March 2014.[22]

### Civil partnerships

[edit]

Main article: Civil partnership in the United Kingdom

Civil partnerships, created by the Civil Partnership Act 2004,[c] grant same-sex couples most of the rights and responsibilities of marriage.[25] The law came into effect in December 2005. These partnerships were called "gay marriages" by some of the British media;[26] however, the government made clear that they were not marriages.[27][28] Before this, an informal London Partnership Register had been set up in 2001 by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, but without any legal recognition.[29]

Since Section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 took effect, any couple registered in a civil partnership is granted the ability to convert that partnership into a marriage.

### Wilkinson v Kitzinger and Others

[edit]

Main article: Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson

| Wilkinson v Kitzinger

Court| High Court of Justice
Family Division
Decided| 31 July 2006
Citations| [2006] EWHC 2022 (Fam)
[2006] H.R.L.R. 36
Court membership
Judge sitting| Potter P

On 26 August 2003, Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson, both British university professors, legally married in British Columbia, Canada. However, on their return their marriage was not recognised under British law. Under the subsequent Civil Partnership Act, it was converted into a civil partnership. The couple sued for recognition of their marriage, arguing that it was legal in the country in which it was executed and met the requirements for recognition of overseas marriages and should thus be treated in the same way as one between opposite-sex couples. They rejected the conversion of their marriage into a civil partnership believing it to be both practically and symbolically a lesser substitute. They were represented by civil rights group Liberty. The group's legal director James Welch said it was a matter of fairness and equality for the couple's marriage to be recognised and that they "shouldn't have to settle for the second-best option of a civil partnership".[30]

The High Court announced its judgement on 31 July 2006, ruling that their union would not be granted marriage status and would continue to be recognised in England and Wales as a civil partnership. The president of the Family Division, Sir Mark Potter, gave as his reason that "abiding single sex relationships are in no way inferior, nor does English Law suggest that they are by according them recognition under the name of civil partnership", and that marriage was an "age-old institution" which, he suggested, was by "longstanding definition and acceptance" a relationship between a man and a woman.[31][32] He agreed with the couple's claim that they were being discriminated against by the Civil Partnership Act 2004, but considered that "To the extent that by reason of that distinction it discriminates against same-sex partners, such discrimination has a legitimate aim, is reasonable and proportionate, and falls within the margin of appreciation accorded to Convention States."[33] Attorney General Peter Goldsmith, as second respondent, sought £25,000 in legal costs from the couple, which the High Court ordered them to pay.[34]

Wilkinson and Kitzinger said they were "deeply disappointed" with the judgement, not just for themselves, but for "lesbian and gay families across the nation".[32] They said that "denying our marriage does nothing to protect heterosexual marriage, it simply upholds discrimination and inequality" and also said that the ruling insulted LGBTQ people and treats their relationships as inferior to heterosexual ones; not worthy of marriage but only of an "expressly different, and entirely separate institution".[35][36] They said, however, that they believed the judgement "won't stand the test of time" and that they looked forward to the day when "there is full equality in marriage".[31] They had originally announced their intention to appeal the decision but later abandoned it due to lack of funds.[37]

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said that the establishment's aggressive opposition to same-sex marriage and the successful demand of £25,000 from the couple damaged the government's "gay-friendly credentials". He also claimed that the demand in legal costs was designed to damage the couple financially so they would not be able to appeal.[34] He said he was "angry but not downcast" about the ruling and that this was only a temporary setback in the "long struggle for marriage equality".[38]

## Debate

[edit]

Part of a series on

LGBTQ rights
in the United Kingdom
By location

United Kingdom

|  |  Scotland

|

|  Northern Ireland

Crown dependencies

|  |  Guernsey

|

|  Jersey
|  Isle of Man

Overseas territories

|  |  Anguilla

|

|  Akrotiri and Dhekelia
|  Bermuda
|  British Virgin Islands
|  Cayman Islands
|  Falkland Islands
|  Gibraltar
|  Montserrat
|  Pitcairn Islands
|  Saint Helena, Ascension and
Tristan da Cunha
|  Turks and Caicos Islands

Same-sex marriage by territory

|  |  United Kingdom

|

|  Scotland
|  Northern Ireland
|  Guernsey
|  Jersey
|  Isle of Man
|  Akrotiri and Dhekelia
|  Bermuda
|  British Antarctic Territory
|  British Indian Ocean Territory
|  Cayman Islands
|  Falkland Islands
|  Gibraltar
|  Pitcairn Islands
|  Saint Helena, Ascension and
Tristan da Cunha
|  South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands

Policy aspects

Sexual orientation

* Adoption
* Age of consent
* Blood donation
* Christian nation
* Civil partnership
* History of violence
* HIV/AIDS
* Military policy
* Same-sex marriage

Gender identity, sex and intersex

* 21st-century anti-trans movement
* Transgender rights
* Intersex rights
* NHS Gender Identity Development Service
* Gender Recognition Panel

Legislation

Criminality

* Buggery Act 1533
* Offences Against the Person Act 1828
* Offences Against the Person Act 1861
* Labouchere Amendment
* Wolfenden report
* Sexual Offences Act 1967
* Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980
* Homosexual Offences Order 1982
* Section 28
* Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
* Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000
* Sexual Offences Act 2003
* Policing and Crime Act 2017
* Alan Turing law
* Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Act 2017
* Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act 2018

Protection and recognition

* Public Order Act 1986
* Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999
* Adoption and Children Act 2002
* Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
* Civil Partnership Act 2004
* Gender Recognition Act 2004
* Equality Act 2006
* Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007
* Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
* Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008
* Equality Act 2010
* Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
* Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014
* Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019
* Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019

Litigation

* Corbett v Corbett (1969)
* X v United Kingdom (1978)
* Dudgeon v United Kingdom (1981)
* R v Brown (1993)
* Sutherland v United Kingdom (1994)
* Smith and Grady v United Kingdom (1999)
* Goodwin & I v United Kingdom (2002)
* HJ and HT v Home Secretary (2010)
* National AIDS Trust v NHS Service Commissioning Board (2016)
* Cane v Home Secretary (2021)
* Bell v Tavistock (2021)
* AB v CD and others (2021)
* For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (2025)

Culture

By city

* Brighton
* Cardiff
* London
* Liverpool
* Leeds
* Manchester

Gay villages

* Birmingham Gay Village
* The Calls
* Canal Street (Manchester)
* Old Compton Street
* Pride Quarter, Liverpool
* Vauxhall

Gay male

* Polari
* Saunas
* Cruising

Organisations

LGBT advocacy and support

* Stonewall
* Hall–Carpenter Archives
* Black Gay Men's Advisory Group
* Akt
* Naz and Matt Foundation
* FFLAG
* LGBT Foundation
* LGBT Network
* Outright Scotland
* Switchboard (UK)
* NUS LGBT
* LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
* LGBT+ Conservatives
* LGBT+ Labour
* Labour Campaign for Trans Rights
* Mermaids
* Press for Change
* The Gender Trust

Pride events

* BiCon (UK)
* Big Gay Out
* Birmingham Pride
* Bourne Free
* Brighton Pride
* Bristol Pride
* Doncaster Pride
* GFest – gayWise LGBT Arts Festival
* Glasgay! Festival
* Homotopia (Liverpool)
* Leeds Pride
* Leicester Pride
* LGBT History Month
* BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival
* Manchester Pride
* Mr Gay UK
* Mr Gay Wales
* Northern Pride
* Nottinghamshire Pride
* Pride Cymru
* Pride Glasgow
* Pride in Hull
* Pride in Liverpool
* Pride in London
* Pride Scotia
* Reading Pride
* Swansea Pride
* Worthing Pride

Former groups

* OutRage!
* Campaign for Homosexual Equality
* Homosexual Law Reform Society
* Gay Liberation Front
* Gay Rights Working Party
* Order of Chaeronea

History

Topics

* Timeline
* List of politicians
* First LGBT officeholders
* Violence against LGBT people
* HIV/AIDS crisis
* Death penalty

Timeline

|  342|  MSM activity made illegal

|

1533|  Death penalty introduced for MSM activity
1543|  Buggery Act extended to Wales
1828 |  Offences Against the Person Act 1828
1835|  James Pratt and John Smith executed
1861|  Death penalty for buggery abolished
1885|  Labouchere Amendment introduced
1889|  Cleveland Street scandal
1895|  Oscar Wilde found guilty of gross indecency
1912|  The Cave of the Golden Calf opens
1921|  Plans to make lesbian activity illegal defeated
1936|  Mark Weston transitions
1952|  John Nott-Bower begins crackdown
1954|  Pitt-Rivers, Montagu, Wildeblood imprisoned
1954|  Alan Turing commits suicide
1957|  Wolfenden report released
1967|  MSM activity made legal (England & Wales)
1972|  First British Gay Pride Rally
1976|  Jeremy Thorpe resigns as Liberal leader
1981|  MSM activity made legal (Scotland)
1981|  First case of AIDS reported in the UK
1982|  MSM activity made legal (NI)
1983|  Gay men barred from donating blood
1984|  Chris Smith elected as first openly gay MP
1987|  Operation Spanner begins
1988|  Section 28 comes into force
1989|  Stonewall UK forms
1994|  Age of consent for MSM becomes 18
1997|  Angela Eagle becomes first openly lesbian MP
1998|  Bolton 7 found guilty
1998|  Lord Alli becomes first openly gay Lord
1999|  Admiral Duncan bombing
2000|  Gay men allowed in HM Armed Forces
2001|  Age of consent equalised to 16
2001|  MSM activity involving multiple men legal
2002|  Same sex couples granted equal rights to adopt
2003|  Section 28 repealed
2004|  Civil partnerships introduced
2004|  Gender Recognition Act 2004
2006|  Discrimination made illegal
2008|  Equalised access to IVF for lesbian couples
2008|  Incitement to homophobic hatred made a crime
2009|  Public apology to Alan Turing
2010|  Equality Act 2010
2011|  Gay men allowed to donate blood (1 yr deferral)
2013|  Nikki Sinclaire becomes first openly trans MEP
2013|  Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
2014|  First same-sex marriages take place
2016|  MSM activity not grounds for military discharge
2017|  Turing law implemented
2017|  Blood donation deferral 3 months (excl. NI)
2019|  MPs legislate for gay marriage in NI
2020|  Gay marriage legal across UK, incl. NI
2020|  Blood donation deferral 3 months (incl. NI)
2021|  Blood donation deferral equalised

* LGBTQ portal
* UK portal

* v
* t
* e

### Campaign groups

[edit]

Equal Marriage, a campaign for same-sex marriage in Scotland, was established by the Equality Network in 2008, with a focus on securing same-sex marriage and different-sex civil partnerships in Scotland.[39] In England and Wales, the first major campaign for same-sex marriage was Equal Love established by Peter Tatchell in 2010. The first major campaign against same-sex marriage in Britain was Scotland for Marriage established in 2011, followed by the Coalition for Marriage in England and Wales in 2012. Subsequent campaigns for and against same-sex marriage have been established by a wide variety of organisations, including the Coalition for Equal Marriage and Out4Marriage, both established in England in 2012. In Northern Ireland, a campaign for full same-sex marriage was established by LGBT rights activist and political campaigner Gary Spedding in June 2012 with the specific goal of challenging social attitudes whilst lobbying the Northern Ireland Assembly to enact legislation to permit same-sex marriages.

### Political parties

[edit]

Conservative Party: During the run-up to the 2010 general election, the then Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said that a Conservative government would be happy to "consider the case" for ending the ban on same-sex marriage,[40][41] although he was criticised for not making any specific promises.[42] On 4 May 2010, the party published a "Contract for Equalities" which said it would "consider" recognising civil partnerships as marriages if elected.[43]

Labour Party: In April 2010, Labour Minister for Equality Harriet Harman when asked about same-sex marriage said the issue was a "developing area" and that the government still had a "long way to go" with gay rights.[44] Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government did not allow same-sex marriage because it was "intimately bound up with questions of religious freedom".[45] During the 2010 Labour leadership election campaign, each of the Labour candidates expressed their support for reform to lead to the recognition of same-sex marriage. Following Ed Miliband's victory, it became Labour party policy, with the party welcoming Her Majesty's Government's consultation and calling for legislation to be brought forth as soon as possible.[46]

Liberal Democrats: Leader Nick Clegg stated in 2009 that his party backed legalisation.[47][48] On 4 July 2009, in an article for LabourList, Clegg wrote that "although civil partnerships have been a step forward, until same-sex marriage is permitted it is impossible to claim gay and straight couples are treated equally."[49] Following this, the party's LGBT rights group LGBT+ Liberal Democrats launched the petition "Marriage Without Borders" calling for all gender restrictions on marriage and civil partnerships to be lifted, and for same-sex relationships to be recognised across Europe and internationally. The petition was run at Manchester Pride and Reading Pride in 2009, and launched online in January 2010,[50] following an interview with Clegg in Attitude magazine in which he reaffirmed his commitment to same-sex marriage.[51][52] However, this did not make it into the party's manifesto.[53] In an interview in July 2010, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes confirmed that the coalition government was planning to open marriage to same-sex couples, saying, "It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally... The state ought to give equality. We're halfway there. I think we ought to be able to get there in this parliament".[54] In September 2010, the Liberal Democrats voted at their Autumn Federal Conference to make same-sex marriage a party policy at the Westminster level.[55] The Scottish Liberal Democrats had already approved a motion at their 2010 spring conference calling on the Scottish Government to allow same-sex couples to marry, describing the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage as a "discrimination that needs to end".[56]

Green Party of England and Wales: On 22 May 2009, the Green Party called for an end to the ban on civil marriages between same-sex couples in Britain and in other EU member states. Party leader Caroline Lucas said the party wants marriage for same-sex couples and that married same-sex couples who travel throughout Europe should be able to have their relationship recognised on the same basis as married heterosexual couples. Peter Tatchell, who was the party's candidate for Oxford East at the time, said there is a "confusing patchwork" of different partnership laws throughout Europe and that "for a majority of lesbian and gay couples their legal rights stop at their own borders". He said, the "best and most universally recognised system of partnership" is civil marriage and, "anything less is second class and discrimination".[57]

### Religious bodies

[edit]

At their Yearly Meeting in 2009, the Quakers decided to recognise opposite-sex and same-sex marriages equally and perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, making them the first mainstream religious body in the United Kingdom to do so. Under the law at that time, registrars were not allowed to legally officiate at a marriage between same-sex couples but the Quakers stated that the law did not preclude them from "playing a central role in the celebration and recording of same-sex marriages" and asked the government to change the law so that these marriages would be recognised.[58][59] In a joint press release in 2012, the Quakers, Liberal Jews, and Unitarians gave their endorsement to the same-sex marriage consultation.[60]

The largest Christian denominations were wholly opposed to the legislation to recognise and perform same-sex marriages. The leaders of the Catholic Church in England and Wales were vocal in opposition, urging both parishioners and schools within its care to sign a petition against the government plans, as did the Catholic Church in Scotland.[61][62] The leaders of the Church of England were concerned that the legalisation of same-sex marriage would undermine the Church's position as the state religion of England.[63] The Methodist Church of Great Britain, in responding to the government consultation on same-sex marriage, acknowledged in 2012 that many Methodist churches had, over the previous 20 years, affirmed and celebrated the participation of gay men and lesbians in a union, but noted that the Methodist Church would not use the word "marriage" with reference to same-sex unions.[64] However, in June 2021 the Methodist Church's conference voted to allow same-sex marriages to be solemnised in their places of worship.[65]

In 2012, the Muslim Council of Britain launched a campaign against same-sex marriage.[66] The Chief Rabbi, Baron Sacks, and the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue also came out in opposition to the plans, stating that same-sex marriage was "against Jewish law".[67]

### Public opinion

[edit]

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹

Marriage

Civil union

Limited domestic recognition (cohabitation)

Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)

Unrecognized

Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples

¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.

* * *

* v
* t
* e

Opinion polls have shown general support for same-sex marriage among Britons. Attitudes towards homosexuality amongst the British public have become more supportive (or at least tolerant) over time; according to the British Social Attitudes Survey, in 1983 approximately 50% to 70% of respondents of the three major political parties (Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat) regarded homosexuality as "always wrong" or "mostly wrong" and in 1993 opposition to homosexuality was reported to have slightly increased amongst all parties. However, by 2003 attitudes had become more tolerant, with 25% to 50% of respondents regarding homosexuality as always or mostly wrong and by 2013, only around 20% to 35% of respondents in each party felt the same way. Liberal Democrat respondents tended to be less likely to regard homosexuality as wrong than Labour or Conservative respondents across each survey.[68]

A 2004 poll by Gallup reported that 52% of respondents agreed that "marriages between homosexuals" should be recognised, while 45% said they should not. The poll also found that 65% supported allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions.[69] A 2006 Eurobarometer survey reported that 46% of British people agreed that same-sex marriages should be allowed throughout Europe, slightly higher than the European Union average of 44%.[70] A poll conducted in September 2008 by ICM Research for The Observer found that 55% of Britons believed that same-sex couples should be allowed to get married, with 45% against.[71][72]

An opinion poll conducted in June 2009 by Populus for The Times reported that 61% of the British public agreed with the statement "Gay couples should have an equal right to get married, not just to have civil partnerships", while 33% disagreed. Support was highest among those aged between 25 and 34, where 78% agreed and 19% disagreed. It was lowest amongst those over 65 where 37% agreed and 52% disagreed. A majority of both men and women agreed, but support was higher among women (67%) than men (55%). In terms of voting intention, 73% of Liberal Democrats, 64% of Labour voters and 53% of Conservatives agreed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry.[73][74] A poll conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion in July 2010 showed that 78% of British people supported either same-sex marriage or civil partnerships for same-sex couples, with 41% opting for same-sex marriage and 37% opting for civil partnerships. Support for no legal unions for same-sex couples decreased by 3% from August 2009.[75]

According to the 2010 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, 61% of Scottish people supported same-sex marriage, while 19% did not, and 18% neither agreed nor disagreed. In a similar poll in 2002, 42% of Scotland's population supported same-sex marriage. In 2006, 53% of Scots backed same-sex marriage.[76]

In July 2011, a representative survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion showed that 43% of Britons believed same-sex couples should be legally allowed to marry, 34% thought same-sex couples should only be allowed to form civil partnerships, and 15% would grant no legal recognition to same-sex couples.[77] A poll published by YouGov in March 2012 showed that 43% of British people supported same-sex marriage, while 32% supported civil partnerships, and 16% were opposed to any legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Support was particularly high amongst women, young people, people in Scotland and Liberal Democrat voters. Support was lower among the working class, older people, Conservative voters, and men in general. In the same poll, 62% expressed a belief that homosexual relationships had the same value as heterosexual ones, but 47% of people supported the right of the Church of England to defend different-sex marriage and 37% disagreed. A June 2012 YouGov survey indicated increasing support for LGBT rights among the British people. The report found that 71% were in favour of same-sex marriage.[78] Two YouGov polls in December 2012 found that 55% of the population were in favour of introducing same-sex marriage.[79]

Another poll in May 2013 confirmed public support for the same-sex marriage bill, with 53% in favour.[80] A second poll in May showed a similar level of support (54%), and also found that 58% of those who considered same-sex marriage an important election issue would be more likely to vote for a party that supported it.[81] A May 2013 Ipsos poll found that 55% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage.[82] A poll by BBC Radio in March 2014 found that 68% of respondents supported same-sex marriage and 26% opposed it. The research also found that young people were more likely to support same-sex marriage, with 80% support from 18–34-year-olds, compared with 44% of over-65s. 75% of women were in favour, compared to 61% of men.[83] A face-to-face survey conducted in 2015 by ICM Research for Channel 4 found that 16% of British Muslims agreed with the statement that same-sex marriage should be legal in Britain, with 56% disagreeing. The survey also found that only 18% thought homosexuality should be legal in Britain, with 52% disagreeing.[84][85] The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 71% of Britons thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 24% were opposed.[86]

Support for same-sex marriage among 18–21-year-olds according to a 2016 survey from the Varkey Foundation

A September–October 2016 survey by the Varkey Foundation found that 77% of 18–21-year-olds supported same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom.[87]

According to an Ipsos poll published in April 2018, 73% of the British public supported same-sex marriage, while 8% believed it should be banned. A further 13% personally disapproved of it, but did not wish to have it banned again. Additionally, the same poll found that 66% would approve of a royal same-sex wedding.[88] A Pew Research Center poll, conducted between April and August 2017 and published in May 2018, showed that 77% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 20% were opposed and 3% did not know or had refused to answer.[89] When divided by religion, 83% of non-practising Christians, 82% of religiously unaffiliated people and 63% of church-attending Christians supported same-sex marriage.[90] Opposition was 13% among 18–34-year-olds.[91]

A June 2018 YouGov opinion poll found that 80% of British people supported the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, with 66% of Northern Irish respondents in favour. 70% of Conservative voters, 89% of Labour voters and 90% of Liberal Democrat voters were in favour of its introduction. Among "Remain" voters, 90% supported same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, whereas "Leave" voters supported it at 68% (this was at a time when in the aftermath of the 2016 EU referendum the issue of Brexit dominated British politics).[92]

The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 85% of Britons thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 12% were opposed.[1] A YouGov poll conducted in September 2022 showed that 76% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 13% were opposed and 10% did not know. More specifically, 52% strongly supported, while 24% "tend[ed] to support" same-sex marriage. Conversely, 7% "tend[ed] to oppose", while 6% strongly opposed same-sex marriage.[2] A Pew Research Center poll conducted between February and May 2023 showed that 74% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 22% were opposed and 4% did not know or had refused to answer. When divided by political affiliation, support was highest among those on the left and the centre of the political spectrum at 81%, followed by those on the right at 65%.[3] A June 2023 YouGov poll showed that 78% of Britons supported same-sex marriage.[4]

## England and Wales

[edit]

A same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom, 2015 A lesbian couple on their wedding day in Leeds, 2017

### Background and consultation

[edit]

On 17 September 2011, at the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference, Lynne Featherstone announced that Her Majesty's Government would launch a consultation in March 2012 on how to implement equal civil marriage for same-sex couples with the intention of any legislative changes being made by the next general election.[93] The Prime Minister's Office let it be known that David Cameron had personally intervened in favour of legalising same-sex unions, and on 5 October 2011 the Conservative Party Conference applauded Cameron's support for same-sex marriage in his Leader's Speech.[94]

On 12 March 2012, the Government of the United Kingdom launched the public consultation on equal civil marriage in England and Wales. The government proposals were:

* to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage i.e., only civil ceremonies in a register office or approved premises (like a hotel);
* to make no changes to religious marriages. This would continue only to be legally possible between a man and a woman;
* to retain civil partnerships for same-sex couples and allow couples already in a civil partnership to convert this into a marriage;
* to continue to permit civil partnership registrations on religious premises as is possible, i.e., on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content; and
* to allow individuals to be able legally to change their gender without having to end their marriage.

Several political and media organisations expressed their support for same-sex marriage legislation in England and Wales, including the Green Party of England and Wales,[95] the Liberal Democrats,[96] the Labour Party,[46] and Plaid Cymru,[97] as well as The Times,[98] The Guardian,[99] and The Independent, which launched a campaign called "Equal Partners".[100] On 16 January 2013, the Coalition for Equal Marriage announced that it had evidence of the support of a majority of MPs in the House of Commons.[101] The following political parties expressed their opposition to same-sex marriage legislation in England and Wales: the British National Party, which opposes same-sex marriage and civil partnerships,[102] and the UK Independence Party.[103]

The Conservative Party, the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin had no official position or a position of neutrality on either the issue or the legislation as it applied to England and Wales. Senior Conservatives, including David Cameron, William Hague, George Osborne and Theresa May, supported the bill,[104][105] however, the issue was contentious in the party. Just over half of Conservative MPs voted against in second reading,[106] but polling showed that the majority of Conservative voters supported the bill.[107] The Scottish National Party do not vote on English and Welsh matters, and therefore did not take part in the second reading vote, although the SNP-led Scottish Government introduced a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland.[106] Sinn Féin are abstentionist and therefore do not take their seats or vote in the House of Commons. In 2012, the first Northern Ireland Assembly motion proposed by Sinn Féin and the Green Party of Northern Ireland calling for same-sex marriage was defeated by the Democratic Unionist Party.[108]

On 11 December 2012, the government released its response to the consultation. Of the 228,000 responses to the consultation, via the online form, email or correspondence, 53 percent agreed that all couples, regardless of their gender should be able to have a civil marriage ceremony, 46 percent disagreed, and one percent were unsure or did not answer the question.[109] The government also confirmed that it separately received nineteen petitions from faith groups and organisations such as the Coalition for Marriage, with over 500,000 signatures opposing same-sex marriage.[109]

### Legislation

[edit]

Main article: Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

Map of constituencies showing how each of their MPs voted on the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill,[110] 5 February 2013

Labour/Liberal Democrat/Plaid Cymru/Social Democratic and Labour/Alliance/Green/Respect votes for: 269 (+1 teller)

Conservative votes for: 126 (+1 teller)

Conservative votes for both: 5

Conservative/Democratic Unionist/Independent votes against: 144 (+2 tellers)

Labour/Liberal Democrat votes against: 26

Absent/Non-voting/Abstentionist votes: 74

Seat vacant: 2

On 11 December 2012, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, announced that the government would bring forward same-sex marriage legislation for England and Wales in early 2013.[109][111] In response to the consultation results, the proposals were extended to allow religious organisations to opt into performing same-sex marriages if they wish,[109] and a "quadruple-lock" of additional measures to put the protection of religious freedoms "utterly beyond doubt".[109] These are:

* ensuring the legislation states explicitly that no religious organisation, or individual minister, can be compelled to marry same-sex couples or to permit this to happen on their premises;
* providing an "opt-in" system for religious organisations who wish to conduct marriages for same-sex couples, which also allows individual ministers to continue to refuse to perform same-sex marriage even when their religious organisation opts in;
* amending the Equality Act 2010 to reflect that no discrimination claims can be brought against religious organisations or individual ministers for refusing to marry a same-sex couple or allowing their premises to be used for this purpose; and
* ensuring that the legislation will not affect the canon law of the Church of England or the Church in Wales, i.e., unless canon law and the same-sex marriage legislation are changed in future, both churches will be legally barred from performing same-sex marriages.[109]

The UK Government addressed consultation responses about the possibility that the European Court of Human Rights could force all churches to marry same-sex couples, stating:[109]

> Both the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights put the protection of religious belief in this matter beyond doubt. We will draft the legislation to ensure that there is a negligible chance of a successful legal challenge in any domestic court, or the ECtHR that would force any religious organisation to conduct marriages for same-sex couples against their will. Any possible claims would be brought against the Government, rather than an organisation to ensure religious organisations would not have to use their resources to fight any legal challenges.

Members of the London Gay Men's Chorus outside the House of Lords celebrating the passage at third reading of the same-sex marriage legislation, 15 July 2013

On 24 January 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced to the Commons by Maria Miller, and a full debate occurred at the second reading on 5 February.[112][113] The bill retained some distinctions from marriage between a man and a woman; e.g. in divorce proceedings, adultery can only involve sexual conduct between two persons of the opposite sex, while non-consummation will not be grounds for annulment of a same-sex marriage.[114] On 5 February 2013, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons by 400 votes to 175.[115]

The bill was examined in 13 sittings by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Committee, a public bill committee established to scrutinise the bill line by line. The bill completed its committee stage on 12 March 2013 and had its report stage in the House of Commons on 20–21 May 2013.[113][116][117] The third reading took place on 21 May, and was approved by 366 votes to 161,[118] with the bill receiving its first reading in the House of Lords the same evening.[119] The bill had its second reading unopposed in the Lords on 4 June, after a "wrecking amendment" proposed by Lord Dear was defeated by a vote of 390–148, thus allowing the bill to proceed to the committee stage.[120] The bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords on 15 July 2013,[121] and the Commons accepted all of the Lords' amendments on the following day, with royal assent by Queen Elizabeth II granted on 17 July 2013.[122]

21 May 2013 vote in the House of Commons[123] Party | Voted for | Voted against | Absent (Did not vote)

|
|
|

G Conservative Party |

124

* Stuart Andrew
* Harriett Baldwin
* Steve Barclay
* Gregory Barker
* John Baron
* Gavin Barwell
* Richard Benyon
* Crispin Blunt
* Nicholas Boles
* Peter Bottomley
* Karen Bradley
* James Brokenshire
* Aidan Burley
* Alistair Burt
* Dan Byles
* David Cameron
* Neil Carmichael
* Greg Clark
* Oliver Colvile
* Tracey Crouch
* Stephen Dorrell
* James Duddridge
* Alan Duncan
* Iain Duncan Smith
* Michael Ellis
* Jane Ellison
* Tobias Ellwood
* Graham Evans[d]
* Michael Fabricant
* Mark Field
* Mike Freer
* Lorraine Fullbrook
* Richard Fuller
* David Gauke
* Nick Gibb
* Zac Goldsmith
* Michael Gove
* Helen Grant
* Chris Grayling
* Damian Green
* Justine Greening
* Ben Gummer
* Sam Gyimah
* Stephen Hammond
* Matthew Hancock
* Greg Hands
* Mark Harper
* Richard Harrington
* Rebecca Harris
* Chris Heaton-Harris
* Charles Hendry
* Nick Herbert
* Damian Hinds
* George Hollingbery
* Kris Hopkins
* John Howell[d]
* Jeremy Hunt
* Margot James
* Sajid Javid
* Bernard Jenkin
* Jo Johnson
* Andrew Jones
* Daniel Kawczynski
* Simon Kirby
* Andrew Lansley
* Pauline Latham
* Andrea Leadsom[d]
* Jessica Lee
* Phillip Lee[d]
* Charlotte Leslie[d]
* Oliver Letwin
* Brandon Lewis
* Peter Luff
* Mary Macleod
* Francis Maude
* Theresa May
* Jason McCartney
* Patrick McLoughlin
* Mark Menzies
* Maria Miller
* Nigel Mills
* Andrew Mitchell
* Penny Mordaunt
* Stephen Mosley
* David Mowat
* Brooks Newmark
* Eric Ollerenshaw
* Guy Opperman
* George Osborne
* Richard Ottaway
* John Penrose
* Andrew Percy
* Claire Perry[d]
* Stephen Phillips
* Eric Pickles
* Dan Poulter
* Dominic Raab
* Hugh Robertson
* Amber Rudd
* Laura Sandys
* Grant Shapps
* Mark Simmonds
* Chris Skidmore
* Chloe Smith
* Julian Smith
* Anna Soubry
* Caroline Spelman
* Andrew Stephenson
* Iain Stewart
* Justin Tomlinson
* Liz Truss
* Edward Vaizey
* Theresa Villiers
* Charles Walker
* Robin Walker
* Angela Watkinson
* Mike Weatherley
* Chris White
* David Willetts
* Rob Wilson[d]
* Sarah Wollaston
* Tim Yeo
* George Young
* Nadhim Zahawi

134

* Nigel Adams
* Adam Afriyie
* Peter Aldous
* David Amess
* Richard Bacon
* Guto Bebb
* Henry Bellingham
* Paul Beresford
* Andrew Bingham
* Nicola Blackwood
* Peter Bone
* Graham Brady
* Julian Brazier
* Andrew Bridgen
* Steve Brine
* Fiona Bruce
* Robert Buckland
* Simon Burns
* David Burrowes
* Douglas Carswell
* William Cash
* Rehman Chishti
* Christopher Chope
* Thérèse Coffey
* Geoffrey Cox
* Stephen Crabb
* David Davies
* Glyn Davies
* Philip Davies
* David Davis
* Nick de Bois
* Nadine Dorries
* Jackie Doyle-Price
* Richard Drax
* Charlie Elphicke
* Graham Evans[d]
* Jonathan Evans
* David Evennett
* Liam Fox
* Mark Francois
* George Freeman
* Roger Gale
* Edward Garnier
* Mark Garnier
* Cheryl Gillan
* John Glen
* Robert Goodwill
* James Gray
* Andrew Griffiths
* Robert Halfon
* Simon Hart
* Alan Haselhurst
* John Hayes
* Oliver Heald
* Gordon Henderson
* Philip Hollobone
* Adam Holloway
* Gerald Howarth
* John Howell[d]
* Stewart Jackson
* Gareth Johnson
* David Jones
* Marcus Jones
* Greg Knight
* Kwasi Kwarteng
* Andrea Leadsom[d]
* Phillip Lee[d]
* Jeremy Lefroy
* Edward Leigh
* Charlotte Leslie[d]
* Julian Lewis
* Ian Liddell-Grainger
* David Lidington
* Peter Lilley
* Jonathan Lord
* Tim Loughton
* Karen Lumley
* Anne Main
* Paul Maynard
* Karl McCartney
* Anne McIntosh
* Stephen McPartland
* Esther McVey
* Stephen Metcalfe
* Anne Milton
* Nicky Morgan
* Anne-Marie Morris
* David Morris
* James Morris
* Bob Neill
* David Nuttall
* Stephen O'Brien
* Matthew Offord
* James Paice
* Neil Parish
* Priti Patel
* Owen Paterson
* Mark Pawsey
* Michael Penning
* Claire Perry[d]
* Mark Pritchard
* John Redwood
* Jacob Rees-Mogg
* Malcolm Rifkind
* Andrew Robathan
* Laurence Robertson
* Andrew Rosindell
* David Rutley
* Lee Scott
* Andrew Selous
* Alec Shelbrooke
* Richard Shepherd
* Henry Smith
* John Stanley
* John Stevenson
* Bob Stewart
* Mel Stride
* Julian Sturdy
* Robert Syms
* David Tredinnick
* Andrew Turner
* Shailesh Vara
* Martin Vickers
* Ben Wallace
* Robert Walter
* James Wharton
* Heather Wheeler
* Craig Whittaker
* John Whittingdale
* Bill Wiggin
* Gavin Williamson
* Rob Wilson[d]
* Jeremy Wright

* James Arbuthnot
* Steven Baker
* Tony Baldry
* Jake Berry
* Brian Binley
* Bob Blackman
* Angie Bray
* Conor Burns
* Alun Cairns
* James Clappison
* Kenneth Clarke
* Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
* Damian Collins
* Caroline Dinenage
* Jonathan Djanogly
* George Eustice
* Michael Fallon
* Richard Graham
* Dominic Grieve
* William Hague
* Philip Hammond
* Mark Hoban
* Nick Hurd
* Greg Knight
* Eleanor Laing
* Jack Lopresti
* Patrick Mercer
* David Mundell
* Sheryll Murray
* Andrew Murrison
* Sarah Newton
* Caroline Nokes
* Jesse Norman
* Christopher Pincher
* Mark Prisk
* Mark Reckless
* Simon Reevell
* David Ruffley
* Alok Sharma
* Keith Simpson
* Nicholas Soames
* Mark Spencer
* Rory Stewart
* Gary Streeter
* Graham Stuart
* Hugo Swire
* Peter Tapsell
* Edward Timpson
* Andrew Tyrie
* Paul Uppal

Labour Party |

194

* Diane Abbott
* Debbie Abrahams
* Douglas Alexander
* Heidi Alexander
* Rushanara Ali
* Graham Allen
* Jonathan Ashworth
* Adrian Bailey
* William Bain
* Edward Balls
* Gordon Banks
* Kevin Barron
* Hugh Bayley
* Margaret Beckett
* Anne Begg
* Hilary Benn
* Luciana Berger
* Clive Betts
* Roberta Blackman-Woods
* Tom Blenkinsop
* Paul Blomfield
* Ben Bradshaw
* Kevin Brennan
* Gordon Brown
* Lyn Brown
* Chris Bryant
* Karen Buck
* Richard Burden
* Andy Burnham
* Liam Byrne
* Alan Campbell
* Martin Caton
* Sarah Champion
* Jenny Chapman
* Katy Clark
* Ann Clwyd
* Vernon Coaker
* Ann Coffey
* Yvette Cooper
* Jeremy Corbyn
* Mary Creagh
* Stella Creasy
* Jon Cruddas
* John Cryer
* Jim Cunningham
* Margaret Curran
* Nicholas Dakin
* Simon Danczuk
* Alistair Darling
* Wayne David
* Ian Davidson
* Geraint Davies
* Gloria De Piero
* John Denham
* Frank Dobson
* Stephen Doughty
* Jim Dowd
* Gemma Doyle
* Jack Dromey
* Michael Dugher
* Angela Eagle
* Maria Eagle
* Clive Efford
* Julie Elliott
* Louise Ellman
* Natascha Engel
* Bill Esterson
* Chris Evans
* Paul Farrelly
* Frank Field
* Jim Fitzpatrick
* Caroline Flint
* Paul Flynn
* Yvonne Fovargue
* Hywel Francis
* Mike Gapes
* Barry Gardiner
* Sheila Gilmore
* Pat Glass
* Kate Green
* Lilian Greenwood
* Nia Griffith
* Andrew Gwynne
* David Hamilton
* Fabian Hamilton
* David Hanson
* Tom Harris
* John Healey
* Mark Hendrick
* Stephen Hepburn
* Meg Hillier
* Julie Hilling
* Margaret Hodge
* Sharon Hodgson
* Kate Hoey
* Kelvin Hopkins
* George Howarth
* Huw Irranca-Davies
* Cathy Jamieson
* Dan Jarvis
* Alan Johnson
* Graham Jones
* Kevan Jones
* Susan Elan Jones
* Tessa Jowell
* Gerald Kaufman
* Barbara Keeley
* Liz Kendall
* David Lammy
* Ian Lavery
* Mark Lazarowicz
* Chris Leslie
* Emma Lewell-Buck
* Andrew Love
* Fiona Mactaggart
* Shabana Mahmood
* Seema Malhotra
* John Mann
* Gordon Marsden
* Steve McCabe
* Kerry McCarthy
* Gregg McClymont
* Siobhain McDonagh
* Andrew McDonald
* Pat McFadden
* Alison McGovern
* Anne McGuire
* Ann McKechin
* Iain McKenzie
* Catherine McKinnell
* Michael Meacher
* Alan Meale
* Ian Mearns
* Ed Miliband
* Madeleine Moon
* Jessica Morden
* Graeme Morrice
* Grahame Morris
* Meg Munn
* Jim Murphy
* Ian Murray
* Lisa Nandy
* Pamela Nash
* Fiona O'Donnell
* Chi Onwurah
* Sandra Osborne
* Albert Owen
* Teresa Pearce
* Toby Perkins
* Bridget Phillipson
* Yasmin Qureshi
* Nick Raynsford
* Jamie Reed
* Steve Reed
* Emma Reynolds
* Jonathan Reynolds
* Linda Riordan
* John Robertson
* Geoffrey Robinson
* Steve Rotheram
* Frank Roy
* Lindsay Roy
* Chris Ruane
* Andy Sawford
* Alison Seabeck
* Virendra Sharma
* Barry Sheerman
* Dennis Skinner
* Andy Slaughter
* Andrew Smith
* Nick Smith
* Owen Smith
* Jack Straw
* Graham Stringer
* Gisela Stuart
* Gerry Sutcliffe
* Mark Tami
* Gareth Thomas
* Emily Thornberry
* Karl Turner
* Stephen Twigg
* Chuka Umunna
* Valerie Vaz
* Joan Walley
* Tom Watson
* Alan Whitehead
* Chris Williamson
* Phil Wilson
* David Winnick
* Rosie Winterton
* Mike Wood
* Shaun Woodward
* David Wright
* Iain Wright

* Joe Benton
* Tom Clarke
* Rosie Cooper
* David Crausby
* Jim Dobbin
* Brian H Donohoe
* Robert Flello
* Mary Glindon
* Roger Godsiff
* Paul Goggins
* George Mudie
* Paul Murphy
* Stephen Pound
* Stephen Timms

* Bob Ainsworth
* David Anderson
* Ian Austin
* Hazel Blears
* David Blunkett
* Nick Brown
* Russell Brown
* Ronnie Campbell
* Michael Connarty
* Alex Cunningham
* Tony Cunningham
* Thomas Docherty
* Frank Doran
* Helen Goodman
* Tom Greatrex
* Peter Hain
* Harriet Harman
* Dai Havard
* David Heyes
* Jimmy Hood
* Tristram Hunt
* Glenda Jackson
* Siân James
* Diana Johnson
* Helen Jones
* Sadiq Khan
* Ivan Lewis
* Ian Lucas
* Khalid Mahmood
* Michael McCann
* John McDonnell
* Jim McGovern
* Andrew Miller
* Austin Mitchell
* Lucy Powell
* Rachel Reeves
* Joan Ruddock
* Anas Sarwar
* Jim Sheridan
* Gavin Shuker
* Angela Smith
* John Spellar
* Jon Trickett
* Derek Twigg
* Keith Vaz
* David Watts
* John Woodcock

G Liberal Democrats |

* Danny Alexander
* Norman Baker
* Tom Brake
* Annette Brooke
* Jeremy Browne
* Paul Burstow
* Lorely Burt
* Vincent Cable
* Menzies Campbell
* Alistair Carmichael
* Nicholas Clegg
* Michael Crockart
* Edward Davey
* Lynne Featherstone
* Don Foster
* Andrew George
* Stephen Gilbert
* Duncan Hames
* Mike Hancock
* Nick Harvey
* David Heath
* John Hemming
* Martin Horwood
* Julian Huppert
* Charles Kennedy
* David Laws
* Stephen Lloyd
* Michael Moore
* Greg Mulholland
* Tessa Munt
* Alan Reid
* Dan Rogerson
* Adrian Sanders
* Andrew Stunell
* Ian Swales
* Jo Swinson
* Mike Thornton
* John Thurso
* Steve Webb
* Mark Williams
* Roger Williams
* Stephen Williams
* Simon Wright

* Alan Beith
* Gordon Birtwistle
* John Pugh
* Sarah Teather

* Malcolm Bruce
* Tim Farron
* Simon Hughes
* Mark Hunter (teller)
* Norman Lamb
* John Leech
* Robert Smith
* David Ward
* Jennifer Willott

Democratic Unionist Party | –  |

* Gregory Campbell
* Nigel Dodds
* Jeffrey Donaldson
* William McCrea
* Ian Paisley Jnr
* Jim Shannon
* David Simpson
* Sammy Wilson

| –
Scottish National Party | –  | –  |

* Stewart Hosie
* Angus MacNeil
* Angus Robertson
* Mike Weir
* Eilidh Whiteford
* Pete Wishart

Sinn Féin | –  | –  |

* Pat Doherty
* Michelle Gildernew
* Paul Maskey
* Francie Molloy
* Conor Murphy

Plaid Cymru |

* Jonathan Edwards
* Elfyn Llwyd

| –  |

* Hywel Williams

Social Democratic and Labour Party |

* Mark Durkan
* Alasdair McDonnell

| –  |

* Margaret Ritchie

Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | –  | –  |

* Naomi Long

Green Party of England and Wales |

* Caroline Lucas

| –  | –
Respect Party | –  | –  |

* George Galloway

Independent | –  |

* Sylvia Hermon

* Eric Joyce

Total[e] | 366 | 161 | 122
56.4%  | 24.8%  | 18.8%

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Part 1, Section 1) states: Marriage of same sex couples is lawful. It also contains provisions stating that:

> In the law of England and Wales, marriage has the same effect in relation to same sex couples as it has in relation to opposite sex couples.[f]

On 10 December 2013, Miller announced that same-sex marriage ceremonies would begin on 29 March 2014 in England and Wales.[126] Couples wishing to be among the first to marry were required to give formal notice of their intention by 13 March 2014.[22] As of 13 March 2014, couples who have entered into same-sex marriages overseas are recognised as married in England and Wales.[127] The parts of the law that allow civil partnerships to be converted into marriages, and allow married people to change their legal gender while remaining married, took effect on 10 December 2014.[128] Same-sex marriages in England and Wales began at midnight on 29 March 2014.[5]

## Scotland

[edit]

Main articles: Same-sex marriage in Scotland and Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014

See also: LGBT rights in Scotland

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Scotland since 16 December 2014, with the first same-sex marriages occurring on 31 December 2014.[129][130] The law provides that religious organisations and individual celebrants are under no obligation to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, though religious organisations are permitted to authorise their clergy to do so.

On 25 July 2012, the Scottish Government announced that it would legalise same-sex marriage.[131] The move was announced despite opposition by the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland. Although Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move as the "right thing to do", she reassured churches that they would not be forced to perform same-sex marriages.[132] During the consultation phase, ministers received over 19,000 messages from constituents about the issue.[133]

Wikinews has related news:

* Scottish legislature gives green light to same-sex marriage

On 27 June 2013, the Scottish Government introduced same-sex marriage legislation to the Scottish Parliament.[134][135] On 4 February 2014, the Scottish Parliament held its final reading on the bill to permit same-sex marriages. The bill passed by a vote of 108–15 and received royal assent on 12 March 2014.[136] The legislation allows religious and faith organisations to be exempted from having to conduct or be involved in same-sex marriages if it contravenes their beliefs.[137] The first same-sex weddings occurred on 31 December 2014, though civil partnerships could be exchanged for marriage certificates from 16 December so the very first same-sex marriages under Scottish law were recognised that day.[138]

## Northern Ireland

[edit]

Main article: Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

See also: LGBT rights in Northern Ireland

Same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland on 13 January 2020. In previous years, the Northern Ireland Assembly had voted on the issue on five occasions, winning a majority for same-sex marriage once. Previously, same-sex marriages performed in England, Wales and Scotland were recognised as civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.[139][140]

### Early bills

[edit]

Legislation to allow for the recognition of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland has been debated in the Assembly five times since 2012. On four of those occasions, only a minority of assembly members voted in favour of same-sex marriage, though the most recent vote on the issue in November 2015 saw a majority of MLAs vote in favour of same-sex marriage.[141]

On 27 April 2015, the Northern Ireland Assembly voted for the fourth time on the recognition of same-sex marriage. The motion for recognition was introduced by Sinn Féin and was defeated by a majority of 49 votes to 47; all Democratic Unionist (DUP) members in the Assembly voted against it, while all Sinn Féin, Green Party and NI21 members voted for it.[142][143] On 2 November 2015, 105 MLAs voted on a motion to recognise same-sex marriage, with 53 voting in favour and 52 voting against, the first time same-sex marriage had received majority support in the Assembly. However, the Democratic Unionist Party tabled a petition of concern, preventing the motion from having any legal effect.[141][144]

Sinn Féin said that legislation regarding same-sex marriage would be a priority for the party in the Assembly elected in May 2016.[145] On 23 June 2016, Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir announced he had requested that officials in the Northern Ireland Executive begin drafting legislation to allow same-sex marriage, stating that MLAs would much rather vote on the issue than "be forced to legislate [following] an adverse judgment" in the courts.[146] In October 2016, First Minister Arlene Foster reaffirmed the DUP's opposition to same-sex marriage, saying the party would continue to issue a petition of concern blocking same-sex marriage in the Assembly over the next five years.[147] The DUP won fewer than 30 seats at the March 2017 elections, meaning it lost the right to unilaterally block a bill using a petition of concern.[148] Karen Bradley, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, stated in February 2018 that same-sex marriage could be legislated for in Northern Ireland by the UK Parliament, and that the government would likely allow a conscience vote for its MPs if such legislation was introduced.[149] Labour MP Conor McGinn said he would introduce a private member's bill extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland by the end of March 2018.[150]

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 28 March 2018, and passed its first reading.[151][152] The bill's second reading in the Commons was blocked by a Conservative MP on three occasions in 2018.[153][154] An identical bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 27 March by Baron Hayward, and passed its first reading that day.[155] As both bills were private member's bills without government support, they failed to progress any further. In February 2019, Lord Hayward withdrew an amendment to an unrelated government bill, which if passed would have extended same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, on opposition from government Lords.[156]

On 1 November 2018, royal assent was granted to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018, which contains sections describing Northern Ireland's same-sex marriage and abortion bans as human rights violations. The law did not legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, but directed the British Government to "issue guidance" to civil servants in Northern Ireland "in relation to the incompatibility of human rights with [the region's laws on the two issues]". The law passed 207–117 in the House of Commons.[157][158]

### 2019 legalisation by Westminster

[edit]

Main article: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019

Map of constituencies showing how each of their MPs voted on the amendment extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland,[159] 9 July 2019

Labour/Scottish National/Liberal Democrat/Change UK/Plaid Cymru/Green/Independent votes for: 278 (+2 tellers)

Conservative votes for: 104

Conservative votes for both: 1

Conservative/Democratic Unionist votes against: 72 (+2 tellers)

Absent/Non-voting/Abstentionist votes: 190

Seat vacant: 1

In July 2019, McGinn announced his intention to attach an amendment to an upcoming administrative bill relating to Northern Ireland, which would legalise same-sex marriage three months after passage of the bill if the Northern Ireland Assembly remained suspended. Under the terms of the originally-drafted amendment, the region's executive could approve or repeal the measure upon resumption.[160] The amendment passed in the House of Commons with 383 votes in favour and 73 votes against.[161][162] McGinn's amendment, which was further amended by Lord Hayward during passage in the House of Lords, required the Secretary of State to issue regulations extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland if the Assembly had not reconvened by 21 October 2019. If this occurred, then the regulations would come into effect on 13 January 2020.[163] The bill passed its final stages in the Parliament and received royal assent on 24 July 2019, becoming the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.[164][165]

On 21 October 2019, 31 unionist MLAs signed a petition to reconvene the Northern Ireland Assembly to pass legislation to keep abortion illegal. The sitting was boycotted by Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, and People Before Profit, and as a result the speaker, Robin Newton, ruled that the Assembly could not conduct business after an election unless a speaker could be elected on a cross-community vote. The sitting was therefore abandoned, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, stated in the House of Commons that the British Government would issue the regulations as obliged.[166] The regulations came into effect on 13 January 2020,[9][167] and the first legal same-sex wedding ceremony in Northern Ireland took place on 11 February 2020 between Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards-Peoples in Belfast.[10][168]

### Court challenges

[edit]

Two legal challenges to Northern Ireland's same-sex marriage ban were heard in the High Court in November and December 2015.[169] Two couples, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickles and Chris and Henry Flanagan-Kanem, brought the case claiming that Northern Ireland's prohibition on same-sex marriage breached their human rights. The case was heard simultaneously with a case brought in January 2015 in which two men who wed in England sought to have their marriage recognised in Northern Ireland.[169] A ruling was handed down in August 2017; Judge John Ailbe O'Hara found against the couples and determined that there were no grounds under case law from the European Court of Human Rights that the couples' rights were violated by Northern Ireland's refusal to recognise their union as a marriage. One of the couples involved in the litigation (who were granted anonymity) said they would appeal the ruling.[170][171] The appeal was heard by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal on 16 March 2018; a ruling had been expected some time in 2019.[172] On 7 April 2020, the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that same-sex couples faced unjustified discrimination while denied the opportunity to marry in Northern Ireland. But with changes to the law meaning same-sex weddings can take place in Northern Ireland since 11 February 2020, senior judges decided not to make a formal declaration on any human rights breach.[173][174][175]

### Public opinion

[edit]

A September 2014 LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph showed that 40.1% of the population supported same-sex marriage, while 39.4% opposed and 20.5% either had or stated no opinion. Of those that gave an opinion, 50.5% supported and 49.5% opposed same-sex marriage.[176] A poll in May 2015 found that 68% of the population supported same-sex marriage, with support rising to 75% in Belfast.[177] A "mass rally", organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Amnesty International, and the Rainbow Project took place in Belfast on 13 June 2015,[178] with a 20,000 person turnout.[179] A June 2016 poll placed support for same-sex marriage at 70%, while those opposing it at 22%.[180]

An April 2018 poll put support for same-sex marriage among Northern Ireland's population at 76%, while 18% were opposed.[181]

## Royal same-sex weddings

[edit]

In October and November 2021, several European governments, including those of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, confirmed that members of their respective royal families may marry a partner of the same sex without having to forfeit the crown or lose their royal titles and privileges or their place in the line of succession. The British Government has not commented on the matter, though royal experts have questioned whether the status of the king or queen as head of the Church of England, which currently does not allow same-sex marriages in its churches, would prevent an heir in a same-sex union from ascending the throne.[182]

The first same-sex marriage for a member of the British royal family occurred on 22 September 2018 when Lord Ivar Mountbatten married his partner James Coyle at his private estate in Uffculme. Mountbatten is through his father, David Mountbatten, the great-great-great grandson of Queen Victoria and a first cousin, once removed of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His ex-wife Penny Mountbatten walked him down the aisle.[183] A second marriage occurred in February 2024 for Ellen Lascelles and her Australian partner Channtel McPherson in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Lascelles is the daughter of Jeremy Lascelles and a great-great-granddaughter of King George V.[184]

## Marriage statistics

[edit]

The first same-sex wedding in Islington, Greater London, 29 March 2014

1,409 same-sex marriages were performed between 29 March and 30 June 2014, with lesbian couples accounting for 56% of these marriages.[185] By October 2015, approximately 15,000 same-sex marriages had been performed in England and Wales. Of these, 7,366 were new marriages, while 7,732 were conversions from civil partnerships. 55% of these marriages were between female couples and 45% were between male couples.[186] During that same time period, the number of couples opting for civil partnerships fell significantly. In Cheshire for example, around 70 civil partnerships were recorded each year, but in 2015 only 4 partnerships were performed in the county.[187]

462 same-sex marriages were performed in Scotland in the first five months of legalisation, accounting for 12% of all marriages performed during that time.[188] Statistics published by the National Records of Scotland showed that 1,671 same-sex marriages took place in Scotland in 2015. Of these, 935 were conversions from civil partnerships and 736 were new marriages.[189]

The following table shows the number of same-sex marriages performed in England and Wales since March 2014 according to the Office for National Statistics. The overwhelming majority of same-sex marriages are performed in civil ceremonies; there were 23 religious same-sex marriages in 2014, 44 in 2015, 61 in 2016, 43 in 2017 and 63 in 2018. In 2018, the average age of marriage for same-sex partners was 40.4 years for men and 36.9 years for women. Figures for 2020 are lower than previous years because of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Number of marriages performed in England and Wales  Year  | Same-sex marriages  | Conversions from
partnerships  | Opposite-sex
marriages  | Total
marriages

|
|
|
|

Female  | Male  | Total
2014[190] | 2,721 | 2,129 | 4,850 | 2,411 | 247,372 | 252,222
2015[191] | 3,633 | 2,860 | 6,493 | 9,156 | 239,020 | 245,513
2016[192] | 3,910 | 3,109 | 7,019 | 1,663 | 242,774 | 249,793
2017[193] | 3,884 | 3,048 | 6,932 | 1,072 | 235,910 | 242,842
2018[194] | 3,959 | 2,966 | 6,925 | 803 | 227,870 | 234,795
2019[195] | 3,861 | 2,867 | 6,728 | 578 | 213,122 | 219,850
2020[196] | 1,609 | 1,202 | 2,811 | 238 | 82,959 | 85,770
2021[197] | 3,766 | 2,289 | 6,055 | 352 | 201,653 | 207,708
2022[197] | 4,896 | 2,904 | 7,800 | 388 | 239,097 | 246,897

The 2021 United Kingdom census showed that there were 133,618 people in same-sex civil partnerships and 268,522 married same-sex spouses in England and Wales, with Brighton and Hove having the highest proportion of same-sex marriages of any city in England and Wales.[198]

## Religious performance

[edit]

Quakers campaigning for same-sex marriage at Pride in London, 2011

Most major religious organisations in the United Kingdom do not perform same-sex marriages in their places of worship, though many offer blessings to same-sex couples. Some small Christian denominations such as the Dutch Church in London,[199] Quakers and Unitarians solemnise same-sex marriages. In 2001, the Open Episcopal Church became the first in the United Kingdom to perform religious same-sex marriage ceremonies.[200] Quakers formally expressed support for same-sex marriage in 2009.[201] In May 2016, the Oasis Church Waterloo in London applied for a licence allowing it to conduct same-sex marriages. Pastor Steve Chalke said "Oasis Church in Waterloo has reached the decision. It's taken us some time to reach it, that this is something we want to do".[202] In addition, Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism perform same-sex marriages, and campaigned in favour of legalisation.[203] Pagans also perform same-sex marriages.[204] The first legally recognised religious same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom was solemnised by the Metropolitan Community Church in Pokesdown, Bournemouth on 12 April 2014.[205]

In June 2016, the Scottish Episcopal Church became the first British province in the Anglican Communion to take steps to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in their churches. The General Synod voted in favour of a motion to begin discussion amongst the seven dioceses to remove the doctrinal clause which stated that marriage was "between a man and a woman". The vote received support from five of seven bishops, 69% of the clergy and 80% of the laity.[206] The General Synod formally approved the change to the doctrinal clause in June 2017, removing language stating that marriages could only be "between a man and a woman" and introducing a new conscience clause which allows clergy to opt out of performing same-sex weddings.[207] On 20 July 2017, it was announced that a same-sex wedding was to be held at St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow later in the summer.[208] On 1 August 2017, a same-sex marriage, which included the Eucharist as a nuptial mass, was held at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Edinburgh. The Scottish Episcopal Church is estimated to have 100,000 members, and offers same-sex marriage to other Anglicans, including members of churches in England and the United States.[209][210]

In July 2016, the United Reformed Church voted overwhelmingly to allow its churches to perform same-sex marriages. The Church, with 60,000 members and 1,400 congregations, became the largest Christian denomination in the United Kingdom to offer same-sex marriages at that time.[211] In June 2021 the Methodist Church of Great Britain voted to permit same-sex marriage in their places of worship. The Methodist Conference voted 254 to 46 in favour of the move. A freedom of conscience clause allows ministers with objections to opt out of performing same-sex weddings. With about 164,000 members and 4,000 churches, the Methodist Church became the largest Christian denomination in the country to permit same-sex marriages at that time.[65][212] Among the first couples to wed were Jason and Ben McMahon-Riley who married at the Fulwood Methodist Church in Preston on 17 June 2021.[213]

The Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage and does not allow its priests to officiate at such marriages. In December 2023, the Holy See published Fiducia supplicans, a declaration allowing Catholic priests to bless couples who are not considered to be married according to church teaching, including the blessing of same-sex couples.[214] The British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy released a statement on 21 December that the blessings outlined in Fiducia supplicans are "theologically, pastorally and practically inadmissible".[215]

Buddhist groups also perform same-sex marriages.[216] In 2014, David Brazier of the Amida Trust, a Pure Land Buddhist denomination, performed a same-sex marriage in Malvern.[217] In July 2017, Jahed Choudhury and Sean Rogan were married in Walsall adorning gold sherwanis, marking the "first same-sex Muslim wedding in the United Kingdom" according to The Independent.[218] The first interfaith lesbian wedding occurred in Leicester in August 2017 for Kalavati Mistry and Miriam Jefferson, a Hindu-Jewish couple.[219] According to the Office for National Statistics, married same-sex spouses in 2021 were more likely to be Pagan, Buddhist or non-religious than married opposite-sex spouses, who were significantly more likely to be Christian, Muslim, Sikh or Hindu. There were no differences with regard to Jewish spouses.[220][221]

### Church of England

[edit]

In January 2023, bishops of the Church of England refused to support a change to permit same-sex couples to marry in its churches. However, the bishops supported a "prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing" for same-sex couples following a civil marriage or partnership.[222] The General Synod of the Church of England voted 250–181 to support the move in early February. Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell said, "It has been a long road to get us to this point. For the first time, the [Church of England] will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church. The church continues to have deep differences on these questions which go to the heart of our human identity. As archbishops, we are committed to respecting the conscience of those for whom this goes too far and to ensure that they have all the reassurances they need in order to maintain the unity of the church as this conversation continues."[223] Religious same-sex marriage ceremonies in the Church of England are supported by some clergy, including the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft,[224] and the Bishop of Reading, Olivia Graham.[225]

In March 2023, Labour MP Ben Bradshaw introduced a bill to Parliament to "allow, in certain circumstances, priests and parishes [of the Church of England] that wish to conduct same-sex weddings to do so".[226] A 2023 survey conducted by The Times showed that 53% of priests in the Church of England supported religious same-sex marriage ceremonies in the church.[227]

On 15 November, the General Synod voted to allow clergy to bless same-sex marriages. The measure, which passed with a one vote majority, took effect on 17 December 2023.[228][229] Among the first couples to receive a blessing were Reverend Catherine Bond and Reverend Jane Pearce during Holy Eucharist on 17 December at St. John the Baptist Church in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Reverend Canon Andrew Dotchin, who offered the blessing, described the couple's relationship as a "pilgrimage graced by [God's] blessing".[230]

### Church of Scotland

[edit]

In May 2018, the Church of Scotland voted to draft new laws that would allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages. The motion was passed by the General Assembly by a vote of 345 to 170. The legal questions committee had two years to draft legislation. In May 2021, the General Assembly voted 319–217 to approve the draft legislation. The law includes safeguards for ministers opposed to performing same-sex marriages. The presbyteries voted 29–12 in support of the legislation in April, and the General Assembly gave its final approval on 23 May 2022 by 274 votes to 136. Reverend Scott Rennie, the minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen, welcomed the move, saying, "My marriage to my husband, Dave, nurtures my life and my ministry, and frankly I do not think I could be a minister of this church without his love and support. It is always there in the background. Same-sex marriage is like opposite-sex marriage and it has its joys and sorrows, its glories and its tensions. It's pretty normal, really." The vote made the Church of Scotland the largest church in the United Kingdom to allow same-sex marriages.

### Church in Wales

[edit]

In September 2021, the Church in Wales voted to bless—but not perform—same-sex marriages in the church. The move was supported unanimously by the bishops, while the clergy voted 28 to 12 in favor with two abstentions, and the laity voted 49 to 10 with one abstention. Gregory Cameron, bishop of the Diocese of St Asaph, said the decision was a "huge step forward for the church and for us all in Wales". The measure includes a conscience clause, allowing individual clergy to decide whether or not to offer blessings.[231][232][233] Cameron performed the first blessing on 13 November 2021 for Father Lee Taylor, the Vicar of Llangollen, and his partner Fabiano Da Silva Duarte.[234]

## Consular marriages

[edit]

Following the Consular Marriage and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014, "a consular marriage may take place in those countries or territories outside the United Kingdom which have notified the Secretary of State in writing that there is no objection to such marriages taking place in that country or territory and which have not subsequently revoked that notice".[235] Same-sex consular marriages are possible in 26 countries: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China (including Hong Kong),[236] Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles and Vietnam.[237][238]

240 consular same-sex marriages were performed between June 2014 and the end of December 2015. An additional 140 couples converted their civil partnerships into marriages.[239] Consular marriages for same-sex couples were particularly popular in Australia prior to the country's legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017. 445 couples had married in British consulates across Australia by October 2017.[240]

## Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories

[edit]

Same-sex marriage is legal and performed in the three Crown Dependencies of Britain and in eight of the fourteen Overseas Territories.

### Crown Dependencies

[edit]

* Guernsey – In December 2015, the States of Guernsey approved a motion to legislate for the recognition of same-sex marriage.[241] The Same-Sex Marriage (Guernsey) Law, 2016 was approved by the States in September 2016 by a vote of 33–5, and gained royal assent on 14 December 2016.[242][243] The law went into effect on 2 May 2017.[244][245] The legislation does not extend to Guernsey's dependencies, Alderney and Sark.
* Alderney – A bill to allow same-sex marriage was approved 9–0 by the States of Alderney on 18 October 2017, and received royal assent on 13 December 2017.[246] It came into effect on 14 June 2018.[247]
* Sark – On 17 December 2019, the Chief Pleas approved legislation mirroring the provisions of Guernsey's same-sex marriage law.[248] The bill received royal assent in the Privy Council on 11 March 2020, and came into effect on 23 April 2020.[249]
* Isle of Man – Legislation recognising same-sex marriage was approved 17–3 by the House of Keys on 8 March 2016, and 6–3 by the Legislative Council on 26 April.[250][251] The legislation was granted royal assent on 13 July and went into effect on 22 July 2016.[252]
* Jersey – A motion to introduce legislation regarding same-sex marriage was approved by the States Assembly in September 2015.[253] A same-sex marriage bill was eventually debated by the States on 1 February 2018, where it passed by a vote of 42–1.[254] It received royal assent on 23 May and went into effect on 1 July 2018.[255]

### Overseas Territories

[edit]

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories

Of the fourteen British Overseas Territories, same-sex marriage is allowed in eight: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

* Akrotiri and Dhekelia – Same-sex marriage has been recognised and performed in the Sovereign Base Areas since 3 June 2014, for UK military personnel only.[256] The first same-sex marriage was conducted in Dhekelia on 10 September 2016.[257] Civil partnerships have also been allowed for military personnel since 7 December 2005.[258]
* Bermuda – On 5 May 2017, the Bermuda Supreme Court ruled in favour of same-sex marriage, allowing several same-sex couples to marry in Bermuda over the following months.[259] However, the Bermuda Parliament passed a law in December 2017 to replace same-sex marriages with domestic partnerships.[260] The law went into effect on 1 June 2018. On 6 June, the Supreme Court revoked the parts of the law that banned same-sex marriages, but the decision was stayed pending appeal,[261] which the government lost on 23 November 2018.[262] On 14 March 2022, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council upheld the government's appeal, ending the right to same-sex marriage in Bermuda.[263]
* British Antarctic Territory – A same-sex marriage ordinance has been in force since 13 October 2016.[264][265]
* British Indian Ocean Territory – A same-sex marriage ordinance has been in force since 3 June 2014.[266] Civil partnerships have also been allowed for military personnel since 7 December 2005.[258]
* Cayman Islands – Same-sex civil partnerships are legal following the enactment of a partnership law by Governor Martyn Roper on 4 September 2020.[267] A lawsuit filed by a same-sex couple seeking access to same-sex marriage was rejected by the Privy Council on 14 March 2022.[263]
* Falkland Islands – On 30 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands approved a bill legalising same-sex marriage by a vote of 7 to 1.[268] It received royal assent on 13 April and went into effect on 29 April 2017.[269]
* Gibraltar – On 26 October 2016, the Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 was passed in the Gibraltar Parliament with unanimous support from all 15 members present during the vote. It received royal assent on 1 November and took effect on 15 December 2016.[270][271]
* Pitcairn Islands – An ordinance to legalise same-sex marriage was approved 7–0 by the Island Council on 1 April 2015, and signed by Governor Jonathan Sinclair on 5 May. It was published on 13 May 2015 and took effect the next day.[272][273][274]
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – Same-sex marriage is legislated for throughout the territory:
* Ascension Island – A same-sex marriage ordinance was approved unanimously by all five present members of the Ascension Island Council on 31 May 2016.[275][276] It was signed by Governor Lisa Honan and published in the official gazette on 20 June.[277] On 23 December 2016, Honan issued an order to commence the law on 1 January 2017.[278][279]
* Tristan da Cunha – An ordinance extending the Ascension Island same-sex marriage law to Tristan da Cunha was issued on 4 August 2017.[280]
* Saint Helena – The Legislative Council of Saint Helena passed a same-sex marriage bill 9–2 on 19 December 2017. It was given royal assent the next day.[281]
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands – Same-sex marriage has been legal in the territory since 2014.[282][283]
* Same-sex marriage and civil partnerships are not performed or recognised in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In July 2022, Lord Cashman introduced legislation to the House of Lords to legalise same-sex marriage in the remaining six British Overseas Territories. The bill would "empower the Governor of each Territory to make changes to the law in the Territory to recognize the lawfulness of same-sex marriage and allow for the solemnization of marriage of same-sex couples." It had its first reading in the House of Lords on 6 July.[284][285][286] Governor Roper, said the measure had "little chance of progressing". This was not the first attempt to extend same-sex marriage rights to all British Overseas Territories; in February 2019, a Foreign Affairs Select Committee report recommended extending same-sex marriage to all territories with an Order in Council. Leader of the Opposition in the Turks and Caicos Islands Washington Misick accused the British Government of trying to "neutralise the authority" of the Caribbean territories. MP Chris Bryant accused territories of wanting to "have their cake and eat it": "You want to be under the British umbrella, but you do not want to be part of the British way of life."[287]

## See also

[edit]

* LGBTQ portal
* United Kingdom portal

* LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom
* Same-sex marriage in Scotland
* Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland
* Same-sex marriage in Guernsey
* Same-sex marriage in the Isle of Man
* Same-sex marriage in Jersey
* Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
* He never married

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Same-sex marriage became progressively legal in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It has been legal in Ascension Island since 1 January 2017, in Tristan da Cunha since 4 August 2017 and in Saint Helena since 20 December 2017.
2. ^ Welsh: Deddf Priodas (Cyplau o'r un rhyw) 2013,[21] pronounced [dɛðv priˈɔdas ˈkəplaɨ̯, -lai̯ ɔr ɨːn, iːn r̥ɪu̯]; Cornish: Akt Demedhyans (Koplow a'n keth seks) 2013, pronounced [ækt dɐˈmɛðjɐnz ˈkɔplɔʊ̯ æːn keːθ sɛks]
3. ^ In some languages of the United Kingdom:

* Scots: Ceevil Pairtnery Act 2004, pronounced [ˈsiːvɪl ˈpeːrtnəri ak(t)]
* Welsh: Deddf Partneriaeth Sifil 2004,[23] pronounced [dɛðv partˈnɛrjaːɨ̯θ, -jai̯θ ˈsɪvɪl]
* Scottish Gaelic: Achd Com-pàirteachasan Sìobhalta 2004,[24] pronounced [axk kʰomˈpʰaːrˠʃt̪əxəs̪ən ˈʃiːvəl̪ˠt̪ə]
* Irish: An tAcht um Páirtnéireacht Shibhialta 2004, pronounced [ənˠ ˈt̪ˠaxt̪ˠ ʊmˠ ˈpˠaːɾˠtʲnʲeːɾʲəxt̪ˠ ˈhɪvʲiəl̪ˠt̪ˠə]
* Ulster Scots: Ceevil Pairtnerie Act 2004
* Cornish: Akt Keskowethyans Civil 2004, pronounced [ækt kɐskɐˈwɛθjɐnz ˈsɪvɪl]

4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n MPs Graham Evans, John Howell, Andrea Leadsom, Phillip Lee, Charlotte Leslie, Claire Perry and Rob Wilson voted both "aye" and "no", likely as a means of registering an abstention.[124]
5. ^ The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, votes only in case of a tied vote. The three deputy speakers, Lindsay Hoyle, Nigel Evans and Dawn Primarolo, likewise did not cast a vote. The tellers for the "aye" side were Bob Russell and Desmond Swayne, while those for the "no" side were Mark Lancaster and John Randall.
6. ^ Welsh: Yng nghyfraith Lloegr a Cymru, mae priodas cyplau o'r un rhyw yn cael yr un effaith â phriodas cyplau o'r rhyw arall.[125]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU". TNS. European Commission. p. 2\. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
2. ^ a b "Support for marriage of same sex couple". YouGov. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
3. ^ a b "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage". Pew Research Center. 13 June 2023.
4. ^ a b Perry, Sophie (3 July 2023). "Record number of Brits support same-sex marriage, 10 years after historic vote". PinkNews.
5. ^ a b "Same-sex marriage now legal as first couples wed". BBC News. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
6. ^ "Date set for first same-sex marriages in Scotland". BBC News. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
7. ^ Macnab, Scott (16 December 2014). "Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Scotland". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
8. ^ "First same-sex weddings take place in Scotland". BBC News. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
9. ^ a b "Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland". BBC News. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
10. ^ a b Media, P. A. (11 February 2020). "First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
11. ^ Mendelson, Sara H. (January 2008). "Hunt, Arabella (1662–1705)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/14190. Retrieved 14 March 2012. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
12. ^ Harriet Sherwood (28 July 2018). "Recognition at last for Gentleman Jack, Britain's "first modern lesbian"". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
13. ^ "Hyde v. Hyde and Woodmansee [L.R.] 1 P. & D. 130". United Settlement. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
14. ^ Brent, Gail (1972–1973). "Some Legal Problems of the Postoperative Transsexual". Journal of Family Law. 12: 405.
15. ^ "HC Deb 02 April 1971 vol 814 c.1829". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 2 April 1971. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
16. ^ Cretney, Stephen (2003). Family law in the twentieth century: a history. Oxford University Press. pp. 70–71\. ISBN 0-19-826899-8.
17. ^ "1 (a) Marriages between persons of the same sex". Report on Nullity of Marriage (PDF). Law Reform Commission Reports. Vol. 9\. Ireland: Law Reform Commission. October 1984. pp. 4–8\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2016.
18. ^ "Matrimonial Causes Act 1973". Legislation.gov.uk. Section 11(c). Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
19. ^ "Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (c.15)". Office of Public Sector Information. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
20. ^ "The Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003". Office of Public Sector Information. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
21. ^ "Deddf Priodas (Cyplau o'r un rhyw) 2013" (PDF). Equality and Human Rights Commission (in Welsh). Retrieved 21 May 2024.
22. ^ a b "Same-sex weddings to begin in March". BBC News. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
23. ^ "Partneriaeth Sifil". Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (in Welsh). Retrieved 23 March 2025.
24. ^ "Dè tha an riaghaltas a' dèanamh mu dheidhinn neo-ionannachd ghnè?". BBC News (in Scottish Gaelic).
25. ^ Rozenberg, Joshua (6 October 2005). "All-embracing partnership Act". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
26. ^ Jones, George (25 June 2004). "'Gay marriage' Bill left in disarray". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
27. ^ "House of Commons Standing Committee D (pt 4)". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
28. ^ Hirsch, Afua (9 December 2008). "UK challenged the right to civil partnerships of gay couples abroad". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
29. ^ "Mayor congratulates couples planning to register as Civil Partners". Mayor of London. 15 December 2005. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
30. ^ "Couple challenge UK stance on Gay Marriage". Liberty. 11 August 2005. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
31. ^ a b "Lesbians lose legal marriage bid". BBC News. 31 July 2006. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
32. ^ a b Murphy, Megan (31 July 2006). "British Lesbians Lose Bid to Validate Their Marriage". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
33. ^ "Wilkinson v Kitzinger & Ors [2006] EWHC 2022 (Fam) (31 July 2006), paragraph 122". BAILII. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
34. ^ a b "High Court Judge Endorses the 'Sexual Apartheid' of Same-Sex Marriage Ban". UK Gay News. 31 July 2006. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
35. ^ Rozenberg, Joshua (1 August 2006). "Lesbians lose battle to have marriage recognised". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
36. ^ Wilkinson, Sue; Kitzinger, Celia (2007). "Editorial" (PDF). Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, Vol. 8, No. 1. equalmarriagerights.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
37. ^ Shoffman, Marc (11 October 2006). "Lesbian couple drop marriage appeal". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
38. ^ Tatchell, Peter (2 August 2006). "Equality is still a dream". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
39. ^ "Equal Marriage, The key aims of the campaign are to". Equality-network.org. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
40. ^ "George Osborne says Tories will 'consider gay marriage'". BBC News. 11 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
41. ^ Hope, Christopher (11 April 2010). "Chris Grayling row: Conservatives to consider 'legalising gay marriage' if they win power". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016.
42. ^ Sanders, James (12 April 2010). "Tory party make no promises, says George Osborne". Pink Paper. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
43. ^ Beckford, Martin (4 May 2010). "Gay couples could be allowed to marry under Tory election plans". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016.
44. ^ Robb, Simon (16 April 2010). "Harriet Harman admits marriage equality still has 'a long way to go'". Pink Paper. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
45. ^ Geen, Jessica (5 May 2010). "Exclusive: Gordon Brown tells gay voters that support for Lib Dems will lead to a Tory victory". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
46. ^ a b "The Government should go further than they currently plan on same sex marriage – Cooper". Labour Party. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
47. ^ "Lib Dem Leader speaks up for same-sex marriage". LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 4 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
48. ^ "LDEG's Antony Hook interviews Nick Clegg MP". Liberal Democrat European Group. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
49. ^ Clegg, Nick (4 July 2009). "We must remain outspoken in defence of gay rights". LabourList. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
50. ^ "Marriage Without Borders". LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
51. ^ Grice, Andrew; Taylor, Jerome (13 January 2010). "Clegg lays down law to Cameron on gay rights". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
52. ^ "Nick Clegg: A Liberal with Attitude". LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 13 January 2010. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
53. ^ "Updated:Lib Dems introduce LGBT manifesto but it doesn't include pledge of full gay marriage rights rights". PinkNews. 14 April 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
54. ^ Geen, Jessica (19 July 2010). "Deputy Lib Dem leader Simon Hughes says government will allow gay couples to marry". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
55. ^ "Equal Marriage in United Kingdom". Liberal Democrats. 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
56. ^ "Lib Dems back same-sex marriages". Press Association. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
57. ^ "Green Party calls for EU-wide gay marriage". PinkNews. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
58. ^ "Quakers 'to allow gay marriages'". BBC News. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
59. ^ Gledhill, Ruth (1 August 2009). "Quakers back gay marriage and call for reform". The Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
60. ^ "Quakers, Liberal Judaism and Unitarians welcome equal marriage consultation". Britain Yearly Meeting. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
61. ^ Vasagar, Jeevan (25 April 2012). "Catholic church urges pupils to sign anti-gay marriage petition". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
62. ^ Littauer, Dan (8 July 2012). "Scotland: Catholic Church declares 'war on gay marriage'". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
63. ^ "Church of England warning on gay marriage". BBC News. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
64. ^ "Response to the government's consultation on same-sex marriage June 2012" (PDF). Methodist Church of Great Britain. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
65. ^ a b Harriet Sherwood (30 June 2021). "Methodist church to allow same-sex marriage after 'historic' vote". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
66. ^ "Muslims Defending Marriage website". Muslim Council of Britain. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
67. ^ Rocker, Simon (19 June 2012). "Chief Rabbi will oppose gay marriage". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
68. ^ British Social Attitudes, Homosexuality Archived 22 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine, 2013, NatCen
69. ^ Mazzuca, Josephine (12 October 2004). "Gay Rights: U.S. More Conservative Than Britain, Canada". Gallup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
70. ^ "Standard Eurobarometer 66 / Autumn 2006 – TNS Opinion & Social" (PDF). European Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
71. ^ "Sex uncovered poll: Homosexuality". The Observer. The Guardian. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
72. ^ "The Observer Sex Survey" (PDF). ICM Research. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
73. ^ Bennett, Rosemary (27 June 2009). "Church 'out of touch' as public supports equal rights for homosexuals". The Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
74. ^ "Gay Britain Survey" (PDF). Populus. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
75. ^ "A Third of Americans Favour Same-Sex Marriage". Angus Reid. 27 July 2010. Archived from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
76. ^ Geen, Jessica (12 August 2011). "61 per cent of Scots support gay marriage". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
77. ^ "Two-in-Five Britons Endorse Same-Sex Marriage" (PDF). Angus Reid. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
78. ^ "Living together: British attitudes to lesbian, gay and bisexual peoplein 2012" (PDF). Stonewall. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
79. ^ "YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results" (PDF). YouGov. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
80. ^ "YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results" (PDF). YouGov. 12 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
81. ^ "YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results" (PDF). YouGov. 19 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
82. ^ "Same-Sex Marriage". Ipsos. 7–21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016.
83. ^ Robert Pigott (28 March 2014). "Gay weddings: 'Fifth of Britons would turn down invitation'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
84. ^ "C4 survey and documentary reveals What British Muslims Really Think". Channel 4. 11 April 2016.
85. ^ "C4 / Juniper Survey of Muslims 2015" (PDF). ICM Unlimited. p. 120\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2023.
86. ^ "Special Eurobarometer 437" (PDF). Eurobarometer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
87. ^ Broadbent, Emma; Gougoulis, John; Lui, Nicole; Pota, Vikas; Simons, Jonathan (January 2017). "What The World's Young People Think And Feel" (PDF). Varkey Foundation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
88. ^ Two-thirds of Brits would approve of a same-sex royal wedding Archived 9 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine, PinkNews, 20 April 2018
89. ^ Religion and society Archived 18 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Pew Research Center, 29 May 2018
90. ^ Being Christian in Western Europe Archived 25 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Pew Research Center, 29 May 2018
91. ^ Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues Archived 3 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Pew Research Center, 2017
92. ^ Zatat, Narjas (28 June 2018). "The majority of British people support same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland". Indy 100. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
93. ^ Geen, Jessica (16 September 2011). "Government proposes introducing gay marriage after Cameron intervention". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
94. ^ Grice, Andrew (18 January 2012). "Clegg: We will defy anti-gay marriage rebellion". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
95. ^ "Greens urge end to ban on same-sex marriage". Green Party. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
96. ^ Stamp, Gavin (21 September 2010). "Lib Dems call for end to barriers to gay marriage". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
97. ^ "Equal Civil Marriage: A Consultation Response. Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales" (PDF). Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
98. ^ "Leading Article: David Cameron is right to back gay marriage". The Times. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
99. ^ "Gay marriage: torn asunder from reality". The Guardian. 27 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
100. ^ "Equal Partners". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
101. ^ Park, James (16 January 2013). "Majority of MPs indicate that they will vote for same-sex marriage in England and Wales". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
102. ^ Roberts, Scott (26 October 2012). "Nick Griffin: Civil partnerships lead to death of children". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
103. ^ Roberts, Scott (16 November 2012). "'No intention to support same-sex marriage' says UKIP". Pink News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
104. ^ Smith-Spark, Laura; Shubert, Atika (5 February 2013). "UK lawmakers approve same-sex marriage in first vote". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
105. ^ Anthony Faiola (25 February 2011). "British Conservatives lead charge for gay marriage". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
106. ^ a b Maddox, David (5 February 2013). "Same-sex marriage vote goes through as Tories split". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016.
107. ^ "New poll: Most Conservative voters support David Cameron's same-sex marriage policy". PinkNews. 26 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
108. ^ McDonald, Henry (1 October 2012). "Northern Ireland assembly rejects motion on gay marriage". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
109. ^ a b c d e f g "Equal marriage: The Government's response" (PDF). Government of the United Kingdom. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
110. ^ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — 5 Feb 2013 at 18:52". Divisions — 2010–present, Westminster. Public Whip. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
111. ^ Roberts, Scott (11 December 2012). "Government: Churches will be able to marry gay couples from next year". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
112. ^ "Gay marriage: MPs set to vote on proposals for the first time". BBC News. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
113. ^ a b "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13 to 2013–14". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
114. ^ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, Schedule 4". The National Archives. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
115. ^ "Gay marriage: Legislation passes Commons despite Tory opposition". BBC News. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
116. ^ "Parliamentary business for Monday 20 May 2013". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
117. ^ "Parliamentary business for Tuesday 21 May 2013". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
118. ^ "Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan". BBC News. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
119. ^ "Lords Hansard text for 21 May 2013". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords. 21 May 2013. col. 834\. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – First Reading". Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
120. ^ McCormick, Joseph Patrick (4 June 2013). "House of Lords votes in favour of same-sex marriage bill at second reading". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
121. ^ Bingham, John (15 July 2013). "Gay marriage clears the House of Lords". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016.
122. ^ "Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales". BBC News. 16 July 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
123. ^ "The Public Whip — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — Third Reading – 21 May 2013 at 18:59". publicwhip.org.uk.
124. ^ Lowther, Ed (5 March 2013). "Yes but, no but... MPs who vote both ways". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2014. "five of his [Michael Fabricant's] Conservative colleagues voted both yes and no on the government's same-sex marriage legislation in February"
125. ^ "Deddf Priodas (Cyplau o'r un rhyw) 2013: Y Goblygiadau Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol i Briodas a'r Gyfraith yng Nghymru a Lloegr" (PDF). Equality and Human Rights Commission (in Welsh). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
126. ^ "First Same Sex weddings to happen from 29 March 2014". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
127. ^ Duffy, Nick (13 March 2014). "Congratulations! England and Wales begin to recognise overseas same-sex marriages". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
128. ^ Javid, Sajid (26 June 2014). "Sajid Javid: I am pleased to announce that couples can soon convert civil partnerships to marriage". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
129. ^ "First same-sex weddings take place in Scotland". BBC News. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
130. ^ "Scotland legalizes same-sex marriage". LGBTQ Nation. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
131. ^ "Gay marriage to be introduced in Scotland". BBC News. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
132. ^ Bussey, Katrine; Duncanson, Hilary (25 July 2012). "Scotland's gay marriage law to progress". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
133. ^ "Ministers contacted over gay marriage more than Scottish independence referendum". The Scotsman. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
134. ^ "Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
135. ^ "Bill published to make same-sex marriage legal in Scotland". PinkNews. 27 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
136. ^ "Scotland's same-sex marriage bill is passed". BBC News. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
137. ^ "Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill – statement on the Equality Act 2010". Scottish Government. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
138. ^ Senzee, Thom (16 December 2014). "Scotland's Marriage Equality Starts Today". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
139. ^ McBride, Sam (26 June 2013). "Assembly members vote to block gay marriage". The News Letter. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
140. ^ "Same-sex marriage law bid fails". Belfast Telegraph. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
141. ^ a b McAdam, Noel (2 November 2015). "Northern Ireland MLA's vote 'yes' for gay marriage – but motion is torpedoed by DUP". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
142. ^ Payton, Naith (27 April 2015). "Northern Ireland Assembly rejects same-sex marriage". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
143. ^ Moriarty, Gerry (27 April 2015). "Assembly rejects motion on same-sex marriage again". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
144. ^ "Official Report (Hansard)" (PDF). Northern Ireland Assembly. 2 November 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017. "Refer to pp. 1–18"
145. ^ "Same-sex marriage to be Sinn Fein's priority in the next Assembly session". Belfast Telegraph. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
146. ^ "Northern Ireland finance minister calls for gay marriage bill". Stowe Family Law LLP. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
147. ^ "Same-sex marriage: Arlene Foster criticised for 'childish' online abuse comments". BBC News. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
148. ^ "NI Election: DUP loses 'petition of concern' power opening door for gay marriage – Sinn Fein slashes lead to one seat". Belfast Telegraph. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
149. ^ "Same-sex marriage could be introduced to Northern Ireland via Westminster – Bradley". Independent.ie. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
150. ^ "Labour MP to introduce Northern Ireland same-sex marriage bill in March". Belfast Telegraph. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
151. ^ "Status and progress of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Bill 2017–19". Services.parliament.uk. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
152. ^ "Text of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Bill" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
153. ^ "Bid to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland blocked". Belfast Telegraph. 11 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
154. ^ "Voter Registration Bill, 23 November 2018 Volume 649". Hansard.parliament.uk. 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
155. ^ NI same-sex marriage bill passes first stage in Lords Archived 16 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 28 March 2018
156. ^ "Westminster bid to introduce same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland is withdrawn". The Irish News. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
157. ^ Northern Ireland equal marriage measure passed by MPs in symbolic vote Archived 27 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine. PinkNews, 24 October 2018
158. ^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018". Services.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
159. ^ "Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn)". CommonsVotes. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
160. ^ "MPs in fresh attempt to extend equal marriage to Northern Ireland". The Guardian. 2 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
161. ^ "MPs vote to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland". The Guardian. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
162. ^ "Northern Ireland same-sex marriage move backed by MPs". BBC News. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
163. ^ "Peers back NI same sex marriage and abortion reform". BBC News. 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
164. ^ "Legislative Overview: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
165. ^ "Law liberalising abortion and same-sex marriage in NI passes final stage". The Irish Times. 23 July 2019. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
166. ^ "NI parties fail in bid to stop abortion law change". 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
167. ^ McGee, Luke (13 January 2020). "Same-sex marriage is finally legal in Northern Ireland". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
168. ^ Media, P. A. (11 February 2020). "Same-sex marriage: Couple make history as first in NI". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
169. ^ a b "Northern Ireland's gay marriage ban: Judgment reserved on legal challenge". Belfast Telegraph. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
170. ^ "High Court rejects legal challenge for equal marriage in Northern Ireland". Pink News. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
171. ^ "Summary of Judgement; Judge Dismisses Same Sex Marriage Petition" (PDF). courtsni.gov.uk. 17 August 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
172. ^ "Judgment reserved on Northern Ireland couple's same-sex marriage legal challenge". Belfast Telegraph. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
173. ^ "Ban on same sex marriage was 'unjustified discrimination', Northern Ireland court rules". Belfast Telegraph. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
174. ^ "Court delivers same sex marriage judgment – Summary of Judgment" (PDF). Judiciary NI. 7 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
175. ^ "Close (Grainne) and Shannon Sickles and Christopher Flanagan-Kane and Henry Flanagan-Kane's Application" (PDF). Judiciary NI. 7 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
176. ^ Clarke, Liam (3 October 2014). "Slim majority in Northern Ireland supports same sex marriage law". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
177. ^ Cromie, Claire (6 July 2015). "Gay marriage now has overwhelming support in Northern Ireland". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
178. ^ McDonald, Henry (24 May 2015). "Northern Ireland under pressure after Irish gay marriage referendum win". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015. "The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will join Amnesty International and gay rights group the Rainbow Project to hold a mass rally in support of equal marriage rights on 13 June, while a legal test case has also been lodged with Belfast's courts."
179. ^ "Thousands attend same-sex marriage rally in Belfast". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 13 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
180. ^ "Survey shows 70% support for same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
181. ^ "76% of Northern Ireland back marriage equality in latest poll". Gaytimes.co.uk. 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
182. ^ Greenhalgh, Hugo (5 May 2023). "After King Charles, could Britain have an openly LGBTQ+ monarch?". Openly. London.
183. ^ Reynolds, Daniel (17 June 2018). "Get Ready for the First Gay Royal Wedding". Retrieved 18 June 2018.
184. ^ Russell, Rebecca (11 January 2023). "Royal Family announces first lesbian wedding 5 years after Queen's cousin married his husband". MyLondon.
185. ^ "How many marriages of same sex couples have been formed in England and Wales so far?". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
186. ^ Gay marriage: 15,000 same-sex couples wed since law change Archived 27 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine BBC News
187. ^ Lydia Morris (14 September 2016). "Civil partnerships in Cheshire almost disappear following new gay-marriage law". Chesterchronicle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
188. ^ Mark McGivern (31 March 2015). "One in eight marriages in Scotland are same sex, according to new figures". Dailyrecord.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
189. ^ "1,671 Scottish same-sex marriages in 2015". Equality-network.org. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
190. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2014". Office for National Statistics. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
191. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2015". Office for National Statistics. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
192. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2016". Office for National Statistics. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
193. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2017". Office for National Statistics. 14 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
194. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2018". Office for National Statistics. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
195. ^ "Marriage, cohabitation and civil partnerships – Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
196. ^ "Marriages in England and Wales: 2020". Office for National Statistics. 11 May 2023. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
197. ^ a b "Marriages in England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
198. ^ Robson, Graham (3 November 2022). "Census reveals Brighton & Hove is same-sex capital of England and Wales". Gscene.
199. ^ "Nederlandse Kerk: Gay marriage". Dutchchurch.org.uk. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
200. ^ "Gay Marriage Welcomed by Inclusive Church". Open Episcopal Church. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
201. ^ "Quakers and Queers". Queer Anthologies. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
202. ^ "Pastor Steve Chalke of Oasis Church applies for licence to minister to same-sex marriages". Christiantoday.com. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
203. ^ "Reform Judaism backs gay marriage". 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
204. ^ "Same-sex couple married in pagan first". BBC News. 19 January 2015.
205. ^ "First church wedding for gay couple is held in UK". The Guardian. Press Association. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
206. ^ "Scottish Episcopal Church takes gay marriage step". BBC News. 10 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
207. ^ "Scottish Episcopal church votes to allow same-sex weddings". Guardian. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
208. ^ Perraudin, Frances (20 July 2017). "First same-sex marriage at Anglican church in UK to be held this summer". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
209. ^ "Britain's first Anglican same-sex marriage celebrated in a Scottish church". Religion News Service. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
210. ^ "Scottish Episcopal Church approves gay marriage". BBC News. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
211. ^ May, Callum (9 July 2016). "United Reformed Church approves gay marriage services". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
212. ^ Harry Farley (1 July 2021). "Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
213. ^ McGee, Sarah (20 June 2022). "Preston: Same-sex couple among first to get married in a Methodist Church". Lancashire Telegraph.
214. ^ Flynn, JD (22 December 2023). "Is the 'false narrative' narrative a false narrative?". The Pillar. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
215. ^ Coppen, Luke (19 December 2023). "'Fiducia supplicans': Who's saying what?". The Pillar.
216. ^ "Marriage/Partnership ceremonies in Triratna Centres" (PDF). The Buddhist Centre. November 2010.
217. ^ "Special Rapporteur's Compilation of Articles on Freedom of religion or belief and Sexuality" (PDF). OHCHR. September 2017.
218. ^ Werft, Meghan (11 July 2017). "Couple Married in the UK's First Same-Sex Muslim Wedding". Global Citizen.
219. ^ Sharman, Jon (16 August 2017). "Hindu and Jewish women wed in 'UK's first interfaith lesbian marriage'". The Independent.
220. ^ "Marriage and civil partnership status in England and Wales: Census 2021". Office for National Statistics. 22 February 2023.
221. ^ Dodd, Tim (21 April 2024). "LGBT+ people drawn to minority religions - census". BBC News.
222. ^ "Church of England bishops refuse to back gay marriage". BBC News. 18 January 2023.
223. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (9 February 2023). "Church of England votes in favour of blessings for same-sex unions". The Guardian.
224. ^ "Bishop of Oxford says church should marry gay couples". BBC News. 2 November 2022.
225. ^ Burgess, Kaya (3 November 2022). "Bishop becomes most senior Church figure to back same-sex marriage". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
226. ^ Perry, Sophie (23 March 2023). "Labour MP introduces bill to allow same-sex marriages in Church of England". PinkNews.
227. ^ Topping, Alexandra (30 August 2023). "Most Church of England priests back gay marriage, survey finds". The Guardian.
228. ^ Browning, Bil (16 November 2023). "Church of England will try out blessing same-sex marriages". LGBTQ Nation.
229. ^ Farley, Harry (16 November 2023). "Church of England backs services for gay couples". BBC News.
230. ^ Paulsen, David (17 December 2023). "Same-sex couples receive blessings for first time in Church of England". Episcopal News Service.
231. ^ "Church in Wales to give blessings for same-sex marriages". BBC News. 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
232. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (6 September 2021). "Church in Wales votes to bless same-sex marriages". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
233. ^ Alcindor, Nicole (8 September 2021). "Church in Wales to allow pastors to bless same-sex marriages, won't conduct gay weddings". Christian Post. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
234. ^ Evans, Arron (14 November 2021). "Bishop blessed vicar's civil partnership at special Llangollen service". North Wales Chronicle. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
235. ^ "The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014". The National Archives. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
236. ^ "LCQ7: Provision of same-sex marriage registration services by foreign consulates". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
237. ^ "Same sex couples will now be able to marry at British Consulates in 25 countries". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
238. ^ "First same-sex couple to marry in Seychelles at British High Commission". Pinknews.co.uk. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
239. ^ Human Rights & Democracy Archived 7 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Foreign and Commonwealth Office
240. ^ "Same-sex couple tie the knot in Australia using marriage equality loophole". PinkNews. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
241. ^ "Same-sex marriage gets Guernsey States approval". BBC News. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
242. ^ "Orders approved at Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 14th December 2016" (PDF). Privy Council of the United Kingdom. p. 18\. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
243. ^ Strudwick, Patrick (21 September 2016). "This Tiny Island Has Just Voted To Introduce Same-Sex Marriage". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
244. ^ "Same Sex Marriage Now Legal". Island FM. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
245. ^ "The Same-Sex Marriage (Guernsey) Law, 2016 (Commencement) Ordinance, 2017". Guernsey Legal Resources. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
246. ^ "List of Business Part 2" (PDF). 14 December 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
247. ^ "Same-sex marriage legalised in Alderney". ITV Channel Television. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
248. ^ "Sark becomes last British Isle to allow same-sex marriage". BBC. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
249. ^ "Orders Approved and Business Transacted at the Privy Council Held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 11th March 2020" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
250. ^ "08 Mar 2016 House of Keys Hansard" (PDF). Tynwald. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
251. ^ "Isle of Man same-sex marriage bill approved". BBC. 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
252. ^ "From Friday same-sex couples will be able to get married in the Isle of Man". IOMToday. 19 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
253. ^ "Jersey States supports same-sex marriage". BBC News. 22 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
254. ^ "Equal marriage legislation passed by Jersey politicians". ITV News. 1 February 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
255. ^ "Jersey to introduce same-sex marriage from 1 July". BBC News. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
256. ^ "Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
257. ^ "Soldier weds partner to become first same sex couple to marry on a British military base". Mirror. 7 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
258. ^ a b "Civil Partnership (Armed Forces) Order 2005" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
259. ^ "Landmark same-sex ruling". The Royal Gazette. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
260. ^ "Bermuda to ban same-sex marriage months after it was legalised". The Guardian. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
261. ^ "Summary Judgment: Ferguson et al v. Attorney-General" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 6 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
262. ^ Farge, Emma. "Bermuda top court reverses government's gay marriage ban". U.S. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
263. ^ a b "Bermuda's ban on same-sex marriage is allowed, UK judges rule". The Guardian. 14 March 2022. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
264. ^ "The Marriage Ordinance 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
265. ^ "Review of British Antarctic Territory legislation: changes to the marriage and registration ordinances – Publications – GOV.UK". Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
266. ^ "Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014" (PDF). Legislation.gov.uk. 28 April 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
267. ^ "Civil partnerships now legal in the Cayman Islands – Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
268. ^ "RECORD OF THE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – HELD AT NORTH ARM (30 MARCH 2017)". Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands. pp. 38–45\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
269. ^ "Marriage Ordinance 1996; Amending Legislation; Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 – [Ord. 6/17]". Falkland Islands Legislation. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
270. ^ "Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 [No. 22 of 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
271. ^ "Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 – Notice of Commencement" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
272. ^ "Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnerships Ordinance 2015" (PDF). Government of the Pitcairn Islands. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
273. ^ "Pacific's tiny Pitcairn Island legalises same-sex marriage". Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
274. ^ "Pitcairn Island, population 48, passes law to allow same-sex marriage". The Guardian. Associated Press. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 15 December 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
275. ^ "Island Council Report – 31 May 2016" (PDF). Government of Ascension Island. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
276. ^ "MINUTES OF THE ASCENSION ISLAND COUNCIL (AIC)" (PDF). Ascension-island.gov.ac. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
277. ^ "Marriage (Ascension) Ordinance, 2016" (PDF). Ascension-island.gov.ac. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
278. ^ "The St. Helena Government Gazette No 111 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
279. ^ "Marriage (Ascension) (Commencement) Order, 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
280. ^ "Tweet from Governor Lisa Phillips". Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
281. ^ "Same-sex marriage approved for St Helena: opponent calls for society to embrace the result". St Helena Online. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
282. ^ "Local laws and customs – South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (British Overseas Territory) travel advice – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
283. ^ "Visitors – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands". www.gov.gs. Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
284. ^ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Overseas Territories) Bill [HL]". www.bills.parliament.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
285. ^ "UK legislation could pave way for same-sex marriage in overseas territories". Caribbean National Weekly. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
286. ^ Conolly, Norma (6 July 2022). "UK Parliament to consider bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Overseas Territories". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
287. ^ Handy, Gemma (15 July 2022). "UK Same Sex Bill sparks contention -'Equality is possible without gay marriage' – Premier". Turks and Caicos Weekly News. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Smart, Carol; Heaphy, Brian; Einarsdottir, Anna (2013). Same sex marriages: new generations, new relationships. Genders and sexualities in the social sciences. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9780230300231.

* v
* t
* e

LGBTQ topics in the United Kingdom

Rights by location|

| United Kingdom|

* UK (whole)
* Northern Ireland
* Scotland

|

Crown Dependencies|

* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey

British Overseas Territories|

* Anguilla
* Akrotiri and Dhekelia
* Bermuda
* British Virgin Islands
* Cayman Islands
* Falkland Islands
* Gibraltar
* Montserrat
* Pitcairn Islands
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
* Turks and Caicos Islands

Law|

| Rights|

* Adoption
* Age of consent manifestations
* Civil partnership
* Intersex rights
* Military policy
* Same-sex marriage
* Transgender rights
* 21st-century anti-trans movement in the United Kingdom

|

Legislation|

* Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000
* Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
* Civil Partnership Act 2004
* Gender Recognition Act 2004
* Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (2007)
* Equality Act 2010
* Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
* Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014
* Alan Turing law (2017)
* Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019

Human rights precedents|

* Dudgeon v United Kingdom
* Goodwin & I v United Kingdom
* Sutherland v United Kingdom
* X v United Kingdom

Past laws and
superseded precedents|

* Buggery Act 1533
* Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980
* Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
* Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982
* Labouchere Amendment (1885)
* Section 28 (1988)
* Sexual Offences Act 1967
* Corbett v Corbett

Standing key precedents|

* R v Brown (from related police Operation Spanner)

Organisations|

| Current|

* All About Trans
* Beaumont Society
* BiPhoria
* Black Gay Men's Advisory Group
* Campaign for Homosexual Equality
* The Consortium of LGBT Voluntary and Community Organisations UK
* Equality Network
* FFLAG
* GMFA
* Hall–Carpenter Archives
* Labour Campaign for Trans Rights
* LGBT Foundation
* LGBT Network
* LGBT+ Conservatives
* LGBTIQA+ Greens
* LGBT+ Labour
* LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
* Love Equality
* Mermaids
* Naz and Matt Foundation
* Not a Phase
* Outright Scotland
* Pink Triangle Trust
* Racing Pride
* Sparkle (charity)
* Stonewall (Diversity Champions)
* Stop Hate UK
* Switchboard (UK)
* Trans Aid Cymru

|

Past|

* Homosexual Law Reform Society
* Gay Left
* Gay Liberation Front
* Gay Rights Working Party
* Order of Chaeronea
* OutRage!

Culture|

| Topics|

* Gay cruising in England and Wales
* LGBT culture of Brighton and Hove
* LGBT culture in Cardiff
* LGBT culture in Leeds
* LGBT culture in Liverpool
* LGBT culture in London
* Polari

|

Events|

* BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival
* BiCon (UK)
* Big Gay Out
* Birmingham Pride
* Bourne Free
* Brighton Pride
* Bristol Pride
* British LGBT Awards
* Doncaster Pride
* The Gender Trust
* GFest – gayWise LGBT Arts Festival
* Glasgay! Festival
* Homotopia (festival)
* Leeds Pride
* Leicester Pride
* LGBT History Month
* Liverpool Pride
* London Trans+ Pride
* Manchester Pride
* Mr Gay UK
* Mr Gay Wales
* Northern Pride
* Nottinghamshire Pride
* Press for Change
* Pride Cymru
* Pride Glasgow
* Pride in Hull
* Pride in London
* Pride Scotia
* Reading Pride
* Swansea Pride
* Trans Media Watch
* Worthing Pride

Gay villages|

* Birmingham Gay Village
* The Calls (Leeds)
* Canal Street (Manchester)
* Old Compton Street (London)
* Stanley Street Quarter (Liverpool)
* Vauxhall (London)

Economy|

* Pink pound
* Stonewall Workplace Equality Index

Other|

* Anti-transgender movement in the United Kingdom
* Bi Academic Intervention
* Boy Meets Girl (2015 TV series)
* History of violence against LGBT people in the United Kingdom
* List of LGBT politicians in the United Kingdom
* Museum of Transology
* My Transsexual Summer
* OneLove
* PinkNews
* The Queer Emporium
* Rainbow plaque
* Timeline of LGBT history in the United Kingdom
* The Well of Loneliness

* v
* t
* e

LGBTQ unions and rights in the territories of the United Kingdom

* Timeline

Same-sex
marriage|

| United Kingdom|

Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom

*     * Performed: in England and Wales
* Scotland
* Northern Ireland

|

Crown Dependencies|

* Performed: in Guernsey (Alderney and Sark)
* Isle of Man
* Jersey

British Overseas
Territories|

* Performed: in Akrotiri and Dhekelia
* British Antarctic Territory
* British Indian Ocean Territory
* Falkland Islands
* Gibraltar
* Pitcairn Islands
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
* Not performed: in Anguilla
* British Virgin Islands
* Bermuda
* Cayman Islands
* Montserrat
* Turks and Caicos Islands

Also see: Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories

Same-sex
unions|

| United Kingdom|

* Civil partnership in the United Kingdom

|

Crown Dependencies|

* Performed in Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Recognised: in Guernsey

British Overseas
Territories|

* Performed: in Akrotiri and Dhekelia
* Bermuda
* Cayman Islands
* Falkland Islands
* Gibraltar
* Not performed: in
* Anguilla
* British Antarctic Territory
* British Indian Ocean Territory
* British Virgin Islands
* Montserrat
* Pitcairn Islands
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
* Turks and Caicos Islands

LGBTQ rights|

| United Kingdom|

LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom

*     * LGBTQ rights in Scotland
* LGBTQ rights in Northern Ireland

|

Crown Dependencies|

* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey

British Overseas
Territories|

* Akrotiri and Dhekelia
* Anguilla
* Bermuda
* British Antarctic Territory
* British Indian Ocean Territory
* British Virgin Islands
* Cayman Islands
* Falkland Islands
* Gibraltar
* Montserrat
* Pitcairn Islands
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
* Turks and Caicos Islands

* v
* t
* e

Same-sex marriage in Europe

Sovereign states|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
*   * Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

States with limited
recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* South Ossetia
* Transnistria

Dependencies and
other entities|

* Åland
* Faroe Islands
* Gibraltar
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Svalbard

Other entities|

* European Union

* v
* t
* e

Status of same-sex unions around the world

Africa|

* Angola
* Botswana
* Egypt
* Eswatini
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Mauritius
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* Seychelles
* South Africa
* Uganda
* United Kingdom
* Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Americas|

* Argentina
* Barbados
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Denmark
* Greenland
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Honduras
* Mexico
* Netherlands
* Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten
* Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
* Nicaragua
* Paraguay
* Suriname
* United Kingdom
* Bermuda
* Cayman Islands
* Falkland Islands
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* United States
* Puerto Rico
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* U.S. tribal nations
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Asia|

* Bhutan
* Cambodia
* China
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Israel
* Japan
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Philippines
* Russia
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* United Kingdom
* British Indian Ocean Territory
* Vietnam

Europe|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Faroe Islands
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Italy
* Kosovo
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Akrotiri and Dhekelia
* Gibraltar
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* Micronesia
* New Zealand
* Cook Islands
* Palau
* Tuvalu
* United Kingdom
* Pitcairn Islands
* United States
* American Samoa
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Vanuatu

Antarctica|

* United Kingdom
* British Antarctic Territory

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[MSM]: Men who have sex with men
*[NI]: Northern Ireland
*[278]:
*[104]:
*[1]:
*[72]:
*[190]: