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Gay marriage: Government consultation begins Gay marriage: Government consultation begins
(about 1 hour later)
The government has launched a 12-week consultation on allowing gay couples in England and Wales to marry.The government has launched a 12-week consultation on allowing gay couples in England and Wales to marry.
The href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/consultation-document?view=Binary" >proposal is being fiercely opposed by some senior church figures, as well as a number of Conservative MPs. The proposal is being fiercely opposed by some senior church figures, as well as a number of Conservative MPs.
Civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, already give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples.Civil partnerships, introduced in 2005, already give gay couples the same legal rights as married couples.
But the government wants to go further by allowing them to make vows and declare they are married before the next general election, due in 2015. But the government wants them to be legally allowed to make vows and declare they are married before the next general election, due in 2015.
The Home Office's consultation paper proposes that same sex couples already in civil partnerships should be able to convert to a civil marriage status. The href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/consultation-document?view=Binary" >Home Office's consultation paper proposes that same sex couples already in civil partnerships should be able to convert to a civil marriage status.
It also considers whether the status quo should be maintained.It also considers whether the status quo should be maintained.
The BBC's political correspondent Norman Smith tweeted that the government planned to introduce legislation before the next general election. It had been thought the proposals would include legalising same-sex marriages on religious premises, but this is not one of the options.
Ministers say it would lift another barrier to equality and give gay partners the same rights as those enjoyed by opposite sex couples. Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "We're not looking at changing religious marriage, even for those that might wish to do it.
"I understand the liberal Jews, the Quakers and some unitarian churches would like it, but that's not in the sight of this consultation."
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has welcomed the government's commitment to legalise same-sex civil marriages but said he was unhappy about the continued ban on religious same-sex marriages.
"This is not only homophobic but also an attack on religious freedom. While no religious body should be forced to conduct same-sex marriages, those that want to conduct them should be free to do so."
The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for reform of the marriage laws, arguing that they are outdated and discriminate against same-sex couples.The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for reform of the marriage laws, arguing that they are outdated and discriminate against same-sex couples.
While in opposition, Prime Minister David Cameron backed a move to consider allowing civil partnerships to be classified as marriage, as part of his modernising drive in the Conservative Party's Contract For Equalities, published in May 2010.While in opposition, Prime Minister David Cameron backed a move to consider allowing civil partnerships to be classified as marriage, as part of his modernising drive in the Conservative Party's Contract For Equalities, published in May 2010.
However, some Conservative MPs are uncomfortable with the move, arguing it will undermine the traditional idea of the family.However, some Conservative MPs are uncomfortable with the move, arguing it will undermine the traditional idea of the family.
'Shame' on UK'Shame' on UK
During Commons questions about the consultation, Peter Bone, MP for Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said: "Wouldn't it just be very simple to write back and say: 'Marriage is between a man and a woman so this is completely nuts'?"During Commons questions about the consultation, Peter Bone, MP for Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, said: "Wouldn't it just be very simple to write back and say: 'Marriage is between a man and a woman so this is completely nuts'?"
Meanwhile, senior members of the clergy have complained that politicians should not be allowed to redefine marriage.Meanwhile, senior members of the clergy have complained that politicians should not be allowed to redefine marriage.
Earlier this month, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the "grotesque" plans would "shame the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world" if implemented.Earlier this month, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the "grotesque" plans would "shame the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world" if implemented.
A week later, Roman Catholic congregations across England and Wales were read a letter from the Church's two most senior archbishops saying the change would reduce the significance of marriage and it was the duty of all Roman Catholics to make sure it did not happen.A week later, Roman Catholic congregations across England and Wales were read a letter from the Church's two most senior archbishops saying the change would reduce the significance of marriage and it was the duty of all Roman Catholics to make sure it did not happen.
The leader of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, has said the law should not be used as a tool to bring about social changes such as gay marriage.The leader of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, has said the law should not be used as a tool to bring about social changes such as gay marriage.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, has said the issue was neither about religious freedom nor party politics.Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, has said the issue was neither about religious freedom nor party politics.
"Ultimately it's about the freedom of a small group of people to be treated in exactly the same way as everyone else," he said."Ultimately it's about the freedom of a small group of people to be treated in exactly the same way as everyone else," he said.
The Scottish government has held its own consultation process and received more than 50,000 responses. The Scottish government held its own consultation process and received more than 50,000 responses.
Should same sex couples be allowed to marry? Are you in a civil partnership? Send us your stories using the form below.Should same sex couples be allowed to marry? Are you in a civil partnership? Send us your stories using the form below.