Menu
15/03/2012
Government Consultation On Gay Marriage Begins
A 12-week consultation on allowing gay marriage is set to be launched by the government.
While civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples the government wants to go further by allowing them to make vows and declare that they are married.
Many senior church figures and some Conservative MPs have fiercely opposed the plans.
Ministers have said it would lift another barrier to equality.
The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for the change and David Cameron support the moves while in opposition, however a number of Conservative MPs argue that it will undermine the traditional idea of the family.
During Commons questions about the consultation, Peter Bone, MP for Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said: "Wouldn't it just be very simple to write back and say: 'Marriage is between a man and a woman so this is completely nuts'?"
Senior Catholics have also been very vocal in their condemnation of the plans.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the "grotesque" plans would "shame the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world" if implemented.
A week later, Roman Catholic congregations across England and Wales were read a letter from the Church's two most senior archbishops saying the change would reduce the significance of marriage and it was the duty of all Roman Catholics to make sure it did not happen.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, has said the issue was neither about religious freedom nor party politics.
"Ultimately it's about the freedom of a small group of people to be treated in exactly the same way as everyone else," he said.
(H)
While civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples the government wants to go further by allowing them to make vows and declare that they are married.
Many senior church figures and some Conservative MPs have fiercely opposed the plans.
Ministers have said it would lift another barrier to equality.
The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for the change and David Cameron support the moves while in opposition, however a number of Conservative MPs argue that it will undermine the traditional idea of the family.
During Commons questions about the consultation, Peter Bone, MP for Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said: "Wouldn't it just be very simple to write back and say: 'Marriage is between a man and a woman so this is completely nuts'?"
Senior Catholics have also been very vocal in their condemnation of the plans.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the "grotesque" plans would "shame the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world" if implemented.
A week later, Roman Catholic congregations across England and Wales were read a letter from the Church's two most senior archbishops saying the change would reduce the significance of marriage and it was the duty of all Roman Catholics to make sure it did not happen.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, has said the issue was neither about religious freedom nor party politics.
"Ultimately it's about the freedom of a small group of people to be treated in exactly the same way as everyone else," he said.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 June 2012
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
Church Of England Warns Gay Marriage Threatens Institution
The Church of England has warned that government proposals for gay marriage would dilute an institution "vastly" important to a healthy society. It has also described the proposed legislation as "shallow", adding that government plans to open marriage to gay couples by 2015 could undermine its status as the state church.
12 December 2012
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
Scotland Gay Marriage Consultation Begins
A consultation has begun today on a draft bill to introduce gay marriage in Scotland. The plans have received cross party support in the Scottish Parliament. The consultation will investigate views on the legislation.
11 December 2012
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
05 March 2012
Senior Catholic Attacks Governent's Gay Marriage Plan
The most senior Catholic in the UK has called the government’s plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right". Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”. "Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said.
Senior Catholic Attacks Governent's Gay Marriage Plan
The most senior Catholic in the UK has called the government’s plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right". Cardinal Keith O’Brien has accused the coalition of trying to “redefine reality”. "Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples,” he said.
13 June 2012
Gay Marriage Gets Ministerial Backing
In the face of continuing criticism and opposition from the Conservative Party and the Church of England, ministers have pledged to push through legislation to give same-sex couples equal rights to get married.
Gay Marriage Gets Ministerial Backing
In the face of continuing criticism and opposition from the Conservative Party and the Church of England, ministers have pledged to push through legislation to give same-sex couples equal rights to get married.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
