Gay Marriage May Come to The UK Soon

July 23, 2010

Gay marriage may come to the UK soon, perhaps even before the next general election says Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats

He says discussion and consultation within the coalition government would set the ball rolling toward marriage, which several countries have already legalized, including Argentina as of last week.

Currently, LGBT in the UK are allowed to enter civil partnerships but are not allowed to get married.

Hughes says the new law will allow LGBT equal access to civil marriage.

Speaking in a video interview, he said: "It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally.

"That's different of course from faith ceremonies which are matters for the faith communities… they have to decide what recognition to give.

“The state ought to give equality. We’re halfway there. I think we ought to be able to get there in this parliament.”

Speaking to Pinknew.co.uk on Saturday, Nick Herbert, the highest ranked gay Tory, said: “Well as you know, what David Cameron and George Osborne said just before the election was that gay marriage is something that we should look at, in time.”
 

“It's not something we've got immediate plans to change, but we recognise that there are views that say that the name is important.”

Ten countries –mostly in Europe – allow same-sex marriage. The others include Canada, South Africa and Argentina.
 

Image source: Keith Edkins