On 17 July the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill received Royal Assent, the last stage in the UK legislative process.
The Act will allow same sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies, and enables civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage. Same sex couples may marry in religious ceremonies if the relevant religious organization has “opted in” and the religious minister agrees.
The Act also allows married persons to legally change their gender without having to end their marriage. This is progressive compared to the new Irish transgender recognition Bill, also featured in this Bulletin issue.
According to a government statement, it is expected that the first same sex marriages may take place in the summer of 2014.
Chief Executive of lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall Ben Summerskill said “Royal Assent sets the final seal on this modest and decent law which will bring joy to tens of thousands of gay couples and their friends and families. We’ll be working closely with officials over the coming months to make sure that the law is implemented without delay and that the first weddings can take place next January.”
Click here to read a UK government press release.
Click here to read a press release from Stonewall.