Gay marriage will soon be legal in the United Kingdom. Britain's House of Commons — the equivalent of the House of Representatives—has voted 400-175 for a bill that will legalize same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom. While this Feb. 5, 2013, vote means the bill will now have no trouble getting through the House of Lords (Senate equivalent), according to the New York Times, more than half of Prime Minister Cameron's Conservative MPs voted no or abstained.
While it is possible that the House of Lords will drag its heels over approving the gay marriage bill, Prime Minister Cameron expects it will finally go into law this summer. There is still strong, if not particularly potent, opposition: Sir Robert Gale was one of those who yanked out that old, rusty saw, “It is not possible to redefine marriage.”
The newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also started his reign yesterday by saying he opposed gay marriage. Of course, it's not up to him. According to a letter sent to The Telegraph by three Conservative MPs, civil partnerships have been part of British law for a while, but now full-blown marriage is on the table:
“Marriage has evolved over time. We believe that opening it up to same-sex couples will strengthen, not weaken, the institution....Our party also has a strong belief in religious freedom, a vital element of a free society. The Bill ensures that no faith group will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages.”
Ed Milliband, the Leader of the Opposition, was more direct. “I don’t think that the person you love should determine the rights you have,” he told reporters when questioned about the same-sex marriage bill.
Sources: New York Times; The Telegraph; Getty Images
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