In an historic vote in the House of Lords last night (July 15), same-sex marriage became a step closer, when peers approved the principle after months of wrangling between Conservatives, the Church and campaigners on both sides and much toing and froing between both the Lords and Commons.
Having cleared the Lords, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will return to the Commons for a short debate on Government amendments this week and must then receive Royal Assent before it becomes law. Gay activists hope that this could mean the first such weddings next year.
Peers gave their assent to the third reading of the Government’s Bill without a formal vote after a short debate and also backed plans for a review of pension arrangements for gay couples.
During the, at times, emotional debate, supporters of the Bill wore pink carnations and Labour peer Lord Alli said that his life will be “better today than it was yesterday”. Conversely, Conservative peer Lord Framlingham said he thought the Bill “ill-thought-out” and complained that it had been “bulldozed” through Parliament.
Under the Bill religious organisations are protected from being compelled to conduct gay marriages and many Christian groups have campaigned against the Bill.
However, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, said that while the majority of Christian Churches and other faiths “don’t believe same-sex marriage accords with their understanding of marriage”, many do welcome the social and legal recognition of same-sex partnerships and “believe our society is a better and healthier one for such recognition.”
The Queen is expected to give her approval to the Bill by the end of this week, as long as tomorrow’s debate in the Commons goes through without any last-minute hitches.