When was gay marriage legal uk
Proposing change: How queer marriage became a government success story
Same-sex marriages are now celebrated all over the UK. They are a core part of the UK’s customs, communities and institutions.
Passing legislation to introduce same-sex marriage was a landmark moment – for many couples personally, but also for the wider lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, trans plus (LGBT+) community. It marked an important step in addressing the UK’s past legal discrimination against same-sex couples, building on the achievements of a long history of campaigners who worked to expand LGBT+ rights.
This case study looks at how the government passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. It examines the policy’s journey, from a campaign aim of LGBT+ rights groups, to a contested issue in the 2010 general election, to official government policy, and finally to legislation that introduced gay marriage rights in England and Wales, while accommodating many of the concerns of those who remained opposed.
It draws on a policy reunion at the Institute for Government held in March 2023, which brought together officials, ministers, LGBT+ rights campaigners and representatives from
10 year anniversary of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 gained Royal Assent on 17 July 2013, after months of intense function. Further implementation labor followed, with the first same sex marriage held in March 2014.
The Perform was drafted by GLD lawyers, the Office for Parliamentary Council, Government Equalities Office and other government departments. It allowed same sex couples to unite, whether in a civil ceremony or a religious one, where the religious organisation allowed such marriages. Crucially, the Act provided protection for those religious organisations that did not want to authorise such marriages, thereby ensuring liberty of religion for all religious organisations.
The Act required legal knowledge on everything from marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales, consular and armed forces marriage, divorce law and the law on the Church of England. There were many challenges along the way, particularly with crafting appropriate religious protections for those religious organisations that did not back same sex marriage.
GLD lawyers Tracey Kerr and Suzanne Lehrer who worked on the Act, and who are still at GLD
Same-sex marriage legislation shows that policy can head public opinion
Homosexual marriage legislation, passed 10 years ago today, was a masterclass in building consensus for a contentious policy.
On 17 July 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Operate 2013 gained royal assent, granting same-sex couples in England and Wales the right to marry. It was a landmark moment for LGBT+ rights.
The journey to passing legislation on same-sex marriage was long and at times contentious. Labour had made important strides in the early 2000s – revoking Section 28 that had prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality” and introducing civil partnerships that gave same-sex couples comparable legal rights to married couples – but Gordon Brown as prime minister opposed same-sex marriage on the grounds that marriage was “intimately bound up with questions of religious freedom”.14
But even once Brown left office in 2010 fresh legislation looked far from inevitable. None of the main parties’ election manifestos that year had devoted to introducing same-sex marriage. Despite LGBT+ rights groups being united in their support, galvanised by debates happening in the US ove
Same-sex marriage now legal as first couples wed
Several couples were ready to tie the knot the moment the commandment changed.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell acted as chief witness at a packed ceremony at Islington Town Hall in London just after midnight as Peter McGraith and David Cabreza were wed after 17 years together.
Mr Tatchell said the couple and all the others getting married had "made history" and "made Britain a more tolerant, equal place".
With a crowd of photographers, journalists and well-wishers waiting, the couple took the opportunity to highlight the international struggle for gay rights.
Mr McGraith said: "Very rare countries afford their gay and queer woman citizens equal marriage rights and we believe that this change in commandment will bring wish and strength to gay men and lesbians in Nigeria, Uganda, Russia, India and elsewhere, who lack basic equality and are existence criminalised for their sexual orientation."
Mr Cabreza added: "From a global and political perspective it's wonderful too, but for us it's also about us and our marriage."
After marrying his boyfriend Neil Allard at Brighton's Royal Pavilion, Andre
First Same Sex weddings to happen from 29 March 2014
Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller has announced that the first same sex weddings in England and Wales will be able to take place from Saturday 29 March 2014.
Following the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 successfully completing its journey through Parliament in July 2013, the government has been operational hard to ensure that all the arrangements are in place to let same sex couples to marry as soon as possible.
As a result of this work, the first same sex weddings can now happen several months earlier than anticipated, subject to Parliament’s approval of various statutory instruments, to be laid in the new year.
Maria Miller said:
Marriage is one of our most important institutions, and from 29 March 2014 it will be unlock to everyone, irrespective of whether they fall in love with someone of the same sex or opposite sex.
This is just another step in the evolution of marriage and I know that many couples up and down the country will be hugely excited that they can now plan for their big day and demonstrate their love and commitment to each other by getting married.
Those couples wishing to be among the f