Great Britain’s first same-sex marriages took place between couples in England & Wales at midnight on Friday 28 March. Prime Minister David Cameron has remarked that the marriages sent a “powerful message” about equality in Britain. The PM noted that the move to introduce same-sex marriage was an important one because it will now mean “in Britain it no longer matters whether you are straight or gay the State will recognise your relationship as equal”. He went on to say that “when people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change”.
There are differences between the various UK jurisdictions on this issue. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act came into force in July of last year, and applies to England & Wales. It was only in 13 March, however, that couples could register their intention to get married. As well as introducing same-sex marriage, the Act will mean that same-sex marriages performed abroad will now have to be legally recognised in England & Wales. Click here to read the full text of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act.
In Scotland, Members of the Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill. The first same sex-marriages in that jurisdiction will be able to take place in autumn this year. Click here to read more.
However the new laws do not apply to same sex couples in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Executive has said that it does not intend to introduce legislation providing for same-sex marriage in that jurisdiction. Marriages between same-sex couples that take place in other UK jurisdictions will be treated in Northern Ireland as civil partnerships. A recent motion that called on the Executive to legislation was voted down in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Amnesty International has said there is likely to be a legal challenge on this point.
It is expected that a referendum on same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland will take place next year.
Click here to read a full report in the Guardian about the UK’s first same-sex marriages.