Gay weddings pledge as Government faces backlash
CULTURE Secretary Maria Miller has promised no church would ever be forced to conduct a gay wedding as she faced a furious backlash from traditionalist Tories over Government plans for same-sex weddings.
Announcing the Government's formal response to the public consultation, Mrs Miller said she was putting in place a "quadruple lock" to guarantee religious organisations would not have to marry same-sex couples against their wishes.
However, the move did little to assuage the anger on the Conservative benches, where the proposals were denounced as an attack on the centuries-old definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Church leaders also warned they would continue to oppose the change when ministers publish detailed legislation in the new year.
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At the same time there was a mixed response from gay rights campaigners, with some warning that planned specific exemptions for the Church of England and the Church in Wales could leave them open to legal challenge.
In the Commons yesterday, Mrs Miller told MPs that her proposals to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was built on Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of religion.
Mrs Miller – who confirmed that Tory MPs would be given a free vote on the issue – said she would now continue to consult on how best to implement the measures.
Comments
by Molochius
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:41PM
“All you need for a happy marriage is 2 people who love each other simple as, everyone should also have the same rights as everybody else, the prejudiced rantings of religious organizations should not take the place of national law INCLUDING the discrimination laws.”
by matthiasjones
Friday, December 14 2012, 6:18PM
“Puffing Billy - if marriage is and always has been universally accepted as the union between a man and a woman for the procreation of children is it wrong for people who cannot have children for medical reasons to get married? Is it wrong to get married if both parties don't want children?”
by Vinnie_Gar
Friday, December 14 2012, 5:41PM
“Here's a job you wouldn't want:
Civil servants are having to define how homosexual couples will consumate marriage. In a heterosexual marriage non consumation is grounds for annullment.
I'm glad I don't have to decide the answer to that.”
by bluebell2
Friday, December 14 2012, 5:20PM
“IF Your gay or les just keep it to your selves i dont know why this coalition is bothering there are more important things to be dealing with like the economy than who and where these people get wed . bluebell”
by Foldart
Friday, December 14 2012, 8:51AM
“That's a bit naive BarryBT. There are a lot of normal people (and not all religious people) out there who don't like the dilution of marriage in this way and want to say so.
They, too, have a right to speak.”
by BarryBT
Friday, December 14 2012, 3:35AM
“Why is this ever going to be an issue for anyone other than those who want to get married. Seriously, who cares. It's just not important whatsoever. If they want to marry, whether that is the correct term, let them. It has nothing to do with anyone other than those involved because it doesn't have an affect on anyone else!”
by b_mused
Thursday, December 13 2012, 10:26PM
“paulmh66 - yes a Registry Office wedding is a marriage but it isn't called a civil partnership but I don't see any significant difference. In my view the main thing is that couples have some legally recognised committed relationship when rearing children.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Thursday, December 13 2012, 8:47PM
“Does anyone else think it's funny that thick people are too thick to realise they're thick?
Clue: plennyjym (anag)”
by paulmh66
Thursday, December 13 2012, 6:40PM
“Odd some people, I state facts and get red thumb for it.”
by unhappysteveo
Thursday, December 13 2012, 6:17PM
“I cant see what all the fuss is about, a few oldies getting worked up over something most of us couldn't give a hoot about.”