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25/01/2013
Government Publishes Legislation On Gay Marriage
New legislation that will enable same-sex marriages to take place in England and Wales has been published.
The legislation will be debated in the Commons on Tuesday 5 February, Conservatives MPs will get a free vote on the legislation meaning they will face no repercussions if they decide to defy government policy.
It is thought that more than 100 Tory MPs are against the idea, but it is expected the bill will pass through the Commons with the support of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs.
The bill has divided Conservatives. Culture Secretary Maria Miller told BBC Radio 4: "We feel that marriage is a good thing and we should be supporting more couples to marry."
Adding there would be adequate protection for religious freedoms.
But former Defence Secretary Liam Fox recently described it as "ill thought through and constitutionally wrong".
(H)
The legislation will be debated in the Commons on Tuesday 5 February, Conservatives MPs will get a free vote on the legislation meaning they will face no repercussions if they decide to defy government policy.
It is thought that more than 100 Tory MPs are against the idea, but it is expected the bill will pass through the Commons with the support of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs.
The bill has divided Conservatives. Culture Secretary Maria Miller told BBC Radio 4: "We feel that marriage is a good thing and we should be supporting more couples to marry."
Adding there would be adequate protection for religious freedoms.
But former Defence Secretary Liam Fox recently described it as "ill thought through and constitutionally wrong".
(H)
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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.
16 July 2012
Catholic Church Leader Calls For Referendum On Equal Marriage
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Britain's most senior Roman Catholic, has urged the Scottish government to hold a referendum on proposals to legalise same-sex marriage, saying a vote should be held because of intense public interest in the issue. Gay rights campaigners said a referendum would be a waste of money.
Catholic Church Leader Calls For Referendum On Equal Marriage
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Britain's most senior Roman Catholic, has urged the Scottish government to hold a referendum on proposals to legalise same-sex marriage, saying a vote should be held because of intense public interest in the issue. Gay rights campaigners said a referendum would be a waste of money.
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