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{{short description|None}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}{{Same-sex unions}}Same-sex marriage is legal in all parts of the United Kingdom. As marriage is a devolved legislative matter, different parts of the United Kingdom legalised at different times; it has been recognised and performed in England and Wales since March 2014, in Scotland since December 2014, and in Northern Ireland since January 2020. Civil partnerships, which offer most, but not all, of the rights and benefits of marriage, have been recognised since 2005. The United Kingdom was the 27th country in the world and the sixteenth in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide.

• Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July 2013 and took effect on 13 March 2014. The first same-sex marriages took place on 29 March 2014.NEWS, Same-sex marriage now legal as first couples wed,weblink 29 March 2014, BBC News, 29 March 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160308042939weblink">weblink 8 March 2016,
• Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland was passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2014 and took effect on 16 December 2014.NEWS,weblink Date set for first same-sex marriages in Scotland, BBC News, 13 October 2014, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, The first marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples previously in civil partnerships occurred on 16 December.NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Scotland, The Scotsman, Scott, Macnab, 16 December 2014, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160102172416weblink">weblink 2 January 2016, The first marriage ceremonies for couples not in civil partnerships occurred on 31 December 2014.NEWS,weblink First same-sex weddings take place in Scotland, BBC News, 31 December 2014, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304070014weblink">weblink 4 March 2016,
• Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in July 2019 and took effect on 13 January 2020.WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland, BBC News, 13 January 2020, 13 January 2020, 9 February 2020,weblink live, The first same-sex marriage ceremony took place on 11 February 2020.NEWS, Media, P. A.,weblink First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland, 2020-02-11, The Guardian, 2020-02-11, en-GB, 0261-3077, 11 February 2020,weblink live,

Same-sex marriage is legal in eight of the fourteen British Overseas Territories. It has been recognised in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands since 2014, Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory (for UK military personnel only) since 3 June 2014, the Pitcairn Islands since 14 May 2015, the British Antarctic Territory since 13 October 2016, Gibraltar since 15 December 2016, the Falkland Islands since 29 April 2017, and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha since 20 December 2017.Same-sex marriage became progressively legal in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It has been legal in Ascension Island since 1 January 2017, in Tristan da Cunha since 4 August 2017 and in Saint Helena since 20 December 2017. Same-sex marriage was formerly legal in Bermuda from 2017 to 2022, where domestic partnerships have been available to same-sex couples since 1 June 2018. Civil partnerships were legalised in the Cayman Islands on 4 September 2020.Same-sex marriage is legal in the Crown Dependencies. It has been recognised and performed in the Isle of Man since 22 July 2016, in Jersey since 1 July 2018, and in the Bailiwick of Guernsey at different times: in Guernsey since 2 May 2017, in Alderney since 14 June 2018, and in Sark since 23 April 2020.

History

File:Same-sex marriage map United Kingdom.svg|400px|thumb|right|Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories, the Crown Dependencies, and administrative territories{{Legend|#025|Marriage}}{{legend striped|#025|#FDFCEA|Marriage for expat personnel and dependents only|up=yes}}{{legend striped|#025|#CCC|British sovereignty not recognised internationally|up=yes}}{{legend|#06F|Domestic partnerships}}{{Legend|#9CF|Limited domestic recognition}}{{Legend|#FDFCEA|Unrecognised}}A Isle of Man; B Guernsey; C Jersey; 1 United Kingdom; 2 Gibraltar; 3 Akrotiri and Dhekelia; 4 Bermuda; 5 Turks and Caicos Islands; 6 British Virgin Islands; 7 Anguilla; 8 Cayman Islands; 9 Montserrat; 10 Pitcairn Islands; 11 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; 12 British Indian Ocean Territory; 13 Falkland Islands; 14 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; (15) British Antarctic TerritoryBritish Antarctic Territory

Legal history

In common law, a marriage between persons of the same sex was void ab initio. In 1680, Arabella Hunt married "James Howard"; in 1682 the marriage was annulled on the ground that Howard was in fact Amy Poulter, a 'perfect woman in all her parts', and two women could not validly marry.ODNB, Mendelson, Sara H., Hunt, Arabella (1662–1705),weblink 14 March 2012, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Jan 2008, 10.1093/ref:odnb/14190, On 30 March 1834, Anne Lister and Ann Walker were married at the Holy Trinity Church at Goodramgate in York, and thereafter considered themselves married, but without legal recognition. The church has been described as "an icon for what is interpreted as the site of the first lesbian marriage to be held in Britain", and the building now hosts a commemorative blue plaque.NEWS,weblink Recognition at last for Gentleman Jack, Britain's "first modern lesbian", The Guardian, 28 July 2018, Harriet Sherwood, 3 September 2018, The couple lived together at Shibden Hall until Lister's death in 1840. In 1866, in Hyde v Hyde and Woodmansee (a case of polygamy), Lord Penzance's judgment began: "Marriage as understood in Christendom is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others."WEB,weblink Hyde v. Hyde and Woodmansee [L.R.] 1 P. & D. 130, United Settlement, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160329201941weblink">weblink 29 March 2016, In Talbot (otherwise Poyntz) v Talbot in 1967, the prohibition was held to extend where one spouse was a post-operative transsexual, with Justice Roger Ormrod stating: "Marriage is a relationship which depends on sex, not on gender".JOURNAL, Brent, Gail, 1972–1973, Some Legal Problems of the Postoperative Transsexual, Journal of Family Law, 12, 405, WEB,weblink HC Deb 02 April 1971 vol 814 c.1829, Hansard, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 2 April 1971, 29 April 2012, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160314035427weblink">weblink 14 March 2016, In 1971, the Nullity of Marriage Act was passed, explicitly banning marriages between same-sex couples in England and Wales.BOOK, Cretney, Stephen, Family law in the twentieth century: a history, Oxford University Press, 2003, 70–71, 0-19-826899-8, The parliamentary debates on the 1971 act included discussion on the issue of transsexualism but not homosexuality.BOOK, Report on Nullity of Marriage,weblink Law Reform Commission Reports, 9, October 1984, Law Reform Commission (Ireland), Law Reform Commission, Ireland, 4–8, 1 (a) Marriages between persons of the same sex,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160310025806weblink">weblink 10 March 2016, The 1971 act was later replaced by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which also declared that a marriage was void if the parties were not respectively male and female.WEB,weblink Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, Legislation.gov.uk, 4 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, Section 11(c), Prohibition of same-sex marriages was also included in the marriage legislation of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Marriage Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 stated there was a legal impediment to marriage if the parties were of the same sex, but the Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 removed this provision. The Marriage Act (Scotland) 1977 had a similar legal impediment, but following the passage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014, the act no longer prohibits marriages if both parties are of the same sex.WEB,weblink Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (c.15), Office of Public Sector Information, 31 August 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120918095332weblink">weblink 18 September 2012, WEB,weblink The Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, Office of Public Sector Information, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160329204011weblink">weblink 29 March 2016, On 17 July 2013, royal assent was granted to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.{{efn|, {{IPA|cy|dɛðv priˈɔdas ˈkəplai ɔr iːn r̥ɪu|pron}}; , {{IPA|kw|ˈlæhɐ dəˈmɛðjɐnz ˈkɔplɔʊ æːn keːθ sɛks|pron}}}} On 10 December 2013, Her Majesty's Government announced that the first same-sex marriages would take place from 29 March 2014.NEWS,weblink 10 December 2013, Same-sex weddings to begin in March, 10 December 2013, BBC News,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016,

Civil partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into effect in December 2005. It created civil partnerships, which gave same-sex couples who entered into them most of the rights and responsibilities of marriage.NEWS,weblink All-embracing partnership Act, Rozenberg, Joshua, 6 October 2005, The Daily Telegraph, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160329211708weblink">weblink 29 March 2016, These partnerships were called 'gay marriages' by some of the British media;NEWS,weblink 'Gay marriage' Bill left in disarray, Jones, George, 25 June 2004, The Daily Telegraph, 6 August 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, however, the government made clear that they were not marriages.WEB,weblink House of Commons Standing Committee D (pt 4), Parliament of the United Kingdom, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305020223weblink">weblink 5 March 2016, NEWS,weblink UK challenged the right to civil partnerships of gay couples abroad, Hirsch, Afua, 9 December 2008, The Guardian, 6 August 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313061720weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, Before this, an informal London Partnership Register had been set up in 2001 by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, but without any legal recognition.WEB,weblink Mayor congratulates couples planning to register as Civil Partners, Mayor of London, dead,weblink 2005-12-15, 2011-10-01, 2022-12-31, Since Section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 took effect, any couple registered in a civil partnership is granted the ability to convert that partnership into a marriage.

Wilkinson v Kitzinger and Others

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factoids

On 26 August 2003, Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson, both British university professors, legally married in British Columbia, Canada. However, on their return their marriage was not recognised under British law. Under the subsequent Civil Partnership Act, it was converted into a civil partnership. The couple sued for recognition of their marriage, arguing that it was legal in the country in which it was executed and met the requirements for recognition of overseas marriages and should thus be treated in the same way as one between opposite-sex couples. They rejected the conversion of their marriage into a civil partnership believing it to be both practically and symbolically a lesser substitute. They were represented by civil rights group Liberty. The group's legal director James Welch said it was a matter of fairness and equality for the couple's marriage to be recognised and that they "shouldn't have to settle for the second-best option of a civil partnership".WEB,weblink Couple challenge UK stance on Gay Marriage, 11 August 2005, Liberty, 7 September 2009, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080905183605weblink">weblink 5 September 2008, The High Court announced its judgement on 31 July 2006, ruling that their union would not be granted marriage status and would continue to be recognised in England and Wales as a civil partnership. The president of the Family Division, Sir Mark Potter, gave as his reason that "abiding single sex relationships are in no way inferior, nor does English Law suggest that they are by according them recognition under the name of civil partnership", and that marriage was an "age-old institution" which, he suggested, was by "longstanding definition and acceptance" a relationship between a man and a woman.NEWS,weblink Lesbians lose legal marriage bid, 31 July 2006, BBC News, 11 August 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160308020049weblink">weblink 8 March 2016, NEWS,weblink British Lesbians Lose Bid to Validate Their Marriage, Murphy, Megan, 31 July 2006, Bloomberg News, 30 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121026010254weblink">weblink 26 October 2012, He agreed with the couple's claim that they were being discriminated against by the Civil Partnership Act 2004, but considered that "To the extent that by reason of that distinction it discriminates against same-sex partners, such discrimination has a legitimate aim, is reasonable and proportionate, and falls within the margin of appreciation accorded to Convention States."WEB,weblink Wilkinson v Kitzinger & Ors [2006] EWHC 2022 (Fam) (31 July 2006), paragraph 122, BAILII, 30 March 2016, 14 April 2013,weblink" title="archive.today/20130414065421weblink">weblink live, Attorney General Peter Goldsmith, as second respondent, sought £25,000 in legal costs from the couple, which the High Court ordered them to pay.WEB,weblink High Court Judge Endorses the 'Sexual Apartheid' of Same-Sex Marriage Ban, 31 July 2006, UK Gay News, 16 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305173355weblink">weblink 5 March 2016, Wilkinson and Kitzinger said they were "deeply disappointed" with the judgement, not just for themselves, but for "lesbian and gay families across the nation". They said that "denying our marriage does nothing to protect heterosexual marriage, it simply upholds discrimination and inequality" and also said that the ruling insulted LGBT people and treats their relationships as inferior to heterosexual ones; not worthy of marriage but only of an "expressly different, and entirely separate institution".NEWS,weblink Lesbians lose battle to have marriage recognised, Rozenberg, Joshua, 1 August 2006, The Daily Telegraph, 30 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, WEB,weblink Wilkinson, Sue, Kitzinger, Celia, Editorial, 2007, Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, Vol. 8, No. 1, equalmarriagerights.org, 30 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305111214weblink">weblink 5 March 2016, They said, however, that they believed the judgement "won't stand the test of time" and that they looked forward to the day when "there is full equality in marriage". They had originally announced their intention to appeal the decision but later abandoned it due to lack of funds.NEWS,weblink Lesbian couple drop marriage appeal, Shoffman, Marc, 11 October 2006, PinkNews, 3 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304063040weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said that the establishment's aggressive opposition to same-sex marriage and the successful demand of £25,000 from the couple damaged the government's "gay-friendly credentials". He also claimed that the demand in legal costs was designed to damage the couple financially so they would not be able to appeal. He said he was "angry but not downcast" about the ruling and that this was only a temporary setback in the "long struggle for marriage equality".NEWS,weblink Equality is still a dream, Tatchell, Peter, 2 August 2006, The Guardian, 30 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160307160310weblink">weblink 7 March 2016,

Debate

{{LGBT rights in the United Kingdom sidebar|aspects}}

Campaign groups

Equal Marriage, a campaign for same-sex marriage in Scotland, was established by the Equality Network in 2008, with a focus on securing same-sex marriage and different-sex civil partnerships in Scotland.WEB,weblink Equal Marriage, The key aims of the campaign are to, Equality-network.org, 2019-05-20, 25 November 2018,weblink live, In England and Wales, the first major campaign for same-sex marriage was Equal Love established by Peter Tatchell in 2010. The first major campaign against same-sex marriage in Britain was Scotland for Marriage established in 2011, followed by the Coalition for Marriage in England and Wales in 2012. Subsequent campaigns for and against same-sex marriage have been established by a wide variety of organisations, including the Coalition for Equal Marriage and Out4Marriage, both established in England in 2012. In Northern Ireland, a campaign for full same-sex marriage was established by LGBT rights activist and political campaigner Gary Spedding in June 2012 with the specific goal of challenging social attitudes whilst lobbying the Northern Ireland Assembly to enact legislation to permit same-sex marriages.

Political parties

Conservative Party: During the run-up to the 2010 general election, the then Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said that a Conservative government would be happy to "consider the case" for ending the ban on same-sex marriage,NEWS,weblink George Osborne says Tories will 'consider gay marriage', BBC News, 11 April 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313203229weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, NEWS,weblink Chris Grayling row: Conservatives to consider 'legalising gay marriage' if they win power, 11 April 2010, The Telegraph, Hope, Christopher,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160324134718weblink">weblink 24 March 2016, although he was criticised for not making any specific promises.NEWS,weblink Tory party make no promises, says George Osborne, Pink Paper, Sanders, James, 12 April 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716163516weblink">weblink 16 July 2011, On 4 May 2010, the party published a "Contract for Equalities" which said it would 'consider' recognising civil partnerships as marriages if elected.NEWS,weblink Gay couples could be allowed to marry under Tory election plans, The Telegraph, 4 May 2010, Beckford, Martin,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160405190954weblink">weblink 5 April 2016, dead, Labour Party: In April 2010, Labour Minister for Equality Harriet Harman when asked about same-sex marriage said the issue was a "developing area" and that the government still had a "long way to go" with gay rights.NEWS,weblink Harriet Harman admits marriage equality still has 'a long way to go', Pink Paper, 16 April 2010, Robb, Simon,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716163441weblink">weblink 16 July 2011, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government did not allow same-sex marriage because it was "intimately bound up with questions of religious freedom".NEWS,weblink Exclusive: Gordon Brown tells gay voters that support for Lib Dems will lead to a Tory victory, PinkNews, 5 May 2010, Geen, Jessica,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303213741weblink">weblink 3 March 2016, During the 2010 Labour leadership election campaign, each of the Labour candidates expressed their support for reform to lead to the recognition of same-sex marriage. Following Ed Miliband's victory, it became Labour party policy, with the party welcoming Her Majesty's Government's consultation and calling for legislation to be brought forth as soon as possible.WEB,weblink The Government should go further than they currently plan on same sex marriage – Cooper, Labour Party (UK), Labour Party, 15 March 2012, 11 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131203022900weblink">weblink 3 December 2013, dead, Liberal Democrats: Leader Nick Clegg stated in 2009 that his party backed legalisation.WEB,weblink Lib Dem Leader speaks up for same-sex marriage, 4 July 2009, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, 28 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313022752weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, WEB,weblink LDEG's Antony Hook interviews Nick Clegg MP, 17 September 2009, Liberal Democrat European Group, 31 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160320051132weblink">weblink 20 March 2016, dead, On 4 July 2009, in an article for LabourList, Clegg wrote that "although civil partnerships have been a step forward, until same-sex marriage is permitted it is impossible to claim gay and straight couples are treated equally."WEB,weblink We must remain outspoken in defence of gay rights, Clegg, Nick, 4 July 2009, LabourList, 30 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150522201653weblink">weblink 22 May 2015, Following this, the party's LGBT rights group LGBT+ Liberal Democrats launched the petition "Marriage Without Borders" calling for all gender restrictions on marriage and civil partnerships to be lifted, and for same-sex relationships to be recognised across Europe and internationally. The petition was run at Manchester Pride and Reading Pride in 2009, and launched online in January 2010,WEB,weblink Marriage Without Borders, 14 January 2010, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, 14 January 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305062251weblink">weblink 5 March 2016, dead, following an interview with Clegg in Attitude magazine in which he reaffirmed his commitment to same-sex marriage.NEWS,weblink Clegg lays down law to Cameron on gay rights, Grice, Andrew, Taylor, Jerome, 13 January 2010, The Independent, 29 January 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304035241weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, dead, WEB,weblink Nick Clegg: A Liberal with Attitude, 13 January 2010, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, 14 January 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160209235627weblink">weblink 9 February 2016, dead, However, this did not make it into the party's manifesto.NEWS,weblink Updated:Lib Dems introduce LGBT manifesto but it doesn't include pledge of full gay marriage rights rights, 14 April 2010, PinkNews,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303185403weblink">weblink 3 March 2016, In an interview in July 2010, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes confirmed that the coalition government was planning to open marriage to same-sex couples, saying, "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... The state ought to give equality. We're halfway there. I think we ought to be able to get there in this parliament".NEWS,weblink Deputy Lib Dem leader Simon Hughes says government will allow gay couples to marry, 19 July 2010, PinkNews, Jessica, Geen, 30 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303183334weblink">weblink 3 March 2016, In September 2010, the Liberal Democrats voted at their Autumn Federal Conference to make same-sex marriage a party policy at the Westminster level.NEWS,weblink Equal Marriage in United Kingdom, 21 September 2010, Liberal Democrats, 16 June 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131203001659weblink">weblink 3 December 2013, The Scottish Liberal Democrats had already approved a motion at their 2010 spring conference calling on the Scottish Government to allow same-sex couples to marry, describing the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage as a "discrimination that needs to end".NEWS,weblink Lib Dems back same-sex marriages, Press Association, 8 March 2010, 9 March 2010,weblink 9 March 2010, dead, Green Party of England and Wales: On 22 May 2009, the Green Party called for an end to the ban on civil marriages between same-sex couples in Britain and in other EU member states. Party leader Caroline Lucas said the party wants marriage for same-sex couples and that married same-sex couples who travel throughout Europe should be able to have their relationship recognised on the same basis as married heterosexual couples. Peter Tatchell, who was the party's candidate for Oxford East at the time, said there is a "confusing patchwork" of different partnership laws throughout Europe and that "for a majority of lesbian and gay couples their legal rights stop at their own borders". He said, the "best and most universally recognised system of partnership" is civil marriage and, "anything less is second class and discrimination".WEB,weblink Green Party calls for EU-wide gay marriage, 22 May 2009, PinkNews, 31 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131209130847weblink">weblink 9 December 2013,

Religious bodies

At their Yearly Meeting in 2009, the Quakers decided to recognise opposite-sex and same-sex marriages equally and perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, making them the first mainstream religious body in the United Kingdom to do so. Under the law at that time, registrars were not allowed to legally officiate at a marriage between same-sex couples but the Quakers stated that the law did not preclude them from "playing a central role in the celebration and recording of same-sex marriages" and asked the government to change the law so that these marriages would be recognised.NEWS,weblink Quakers 'to allow gay marriages', 30 July 2009, BBC News, 28 October 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160306181037weblink">weblink 6 March 2016, NEWS,weblink Quakers back gay marriage and call for reform, Gledhill, Ruth, 1 August 2009, The Times, 7 August 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160408111817weblink">weblink 8 April 2016, dead, In a joint press release in 2012, the Quakers, Liberal Jews, and Unitarians gave their endorsement to the same-sex marriage consultation.NEWS,weblink Quakers, Liberal Judaism and Unitarians welcome equal marriage consultation, 15 March 2012, 5 February 2013, Britain Yearly Meeting,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141227182826weblink">weblink 27 December 2014, The largest Christian denominations have been wholly opposed to the legislation to recognise and perform same-sex marriages. The leaders of the Catholic Church in England and Wales have been vocal in opposition, urging both parishioners and schools within its care to sign a petition against the government plans, as did the Catholic Church in Scotland.NEWS,weblink Catholic church urges pupils to sign anti-gay marriage petition, The Guardian, Jeevan, Vasagar, 25 April 2012, 11 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160307192747weblink">weblink 7 March 2016, WEB,weblink Scotland: Catholic Church declares 'war on gay marriage', PinkNews, Dan, Littauer, 8 July 2012, 11 August 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304054323weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The leaders of the Church of England were concerned that the legalisation regarding same-sex marriage would undermine the Church's position as the state religion of England.NEWS,weblink Church of England warning on gay marriage, BBC News, 12 June 2012, 3 July 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, The Methodist Church of Great Britain, in responding to the government consultation on same-sex marriage, acknowledged in 2012 that many Methodist churches had, over the previous 20 years, affirmed and celebrated the participation of gay men and lesbians in a union, but noted that the Methodist Church would not use the word "marriage" with reference to same-sex unions.WEB,weblink Response to the government's consultation on same-sex marriage June 2012, Methodist Church of Great Britain, June 2012, 30 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313111940weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, However, in June 2021 the Methodist Church's conference voted to allow same-sex marriages to be solemnised in their places of worship.In 2012, the Muslim Council of Britain launched a campaign against same-sex marriage.NEWS,weblink Muslims Defending Marriage website, Muslim Council of Britain, 3 July 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160307141933weblink">weblink 7 March 2016, The Chief Rabbi, Baron Sacks, and the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue also came out in opposition to the plans, stating that same-sex marriage is "against Jewish law".NEWS,weblink Chief Rabbi will oppose gay marriagefirst=Simonwork=The Jewish Chroniclearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062446weblink 4 March 2016,

Public opinion

{{Same-sex marriage map Europe|align=right}}Opinion polls have shown general support for same-sex marriage among Britons. Attitudes towards homosexuality amongst the British public have become more supportive (or at least tolerant) over time; according to the British Social Attitudes Survey, in 1983 approximately 50% to 70% of respondents of the three major political parties (Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat) regarded homosexuality as "always wrong" or "mostly wrong" and in 1993 opposition to homosexuality was reported to have slightly increased amongst all parties. However, by 2003 attitudes had become more tolerant, with 25% to 50% of respondents regarding homosexuality as always or mostly wrong and by 2013, only around 20% to 35% of respondents in each party felt the same way. Liberal Democrat respondents tended to be less likely to regard homosexuality as wrong than Labour or Conservative respondents across each survey.British Social Attitudes, Homosexuality {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322095905weblink |date=22 March 2019 }}, 2013, NatCenA 2004 poll by Gallup reported that 52% of respondents agreed that 'marriages between homosexuals' should be recognised, while 45% said they should not. The poll also found that 65% supported allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions.WEB,weblink Gay Rights: U.S. More Conservative Than Britain, Canada, Mazzuca, Josephine, 12 October 2004, Gallup, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304111447weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, A 2006 Eurobarometer survey reported that 46% of British people agreed that same-sex marriages should be allowed throughout Europe, slightly higher than the European Union average of 44%.WEB,weblink Standard Eurobarometer 66 / Autumn 2006 – TNS Opinion & Social, European Commission, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160306032501weblink">weblink 6 March 2016, A poll conducted in September 2008 by ICM Research for The Observer found that 55% of Britons believed that same-sex couples should be allowed to get married, with 45% against.NEWS,weblink Sex uncovered poll: Homosexuality, 26 October 2008, The Observer, The Guardian, 30 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160307092241weblink">weblink 7 March 2016, WEB,weblink The Observer Sex Survey, ICM Research, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120303221726weblink">weblink 3 March 2012, An opinion poll conducted in June 2009 by Populus for The Times reported that 61% of the British public agreed with the statement "Gay couples should have an equal right to get married, not just to have civil partnerships", while 33% disagreed. Support was highest among those aged between 25 and 34, where 78% agreed and 19% disagreed. It was lowest amongst those over 65 where 37% agreed and 52% disagreed. A majority of both men and women agreed, but support was higher among women (67%) than men (55%). In terms of voting intention, 73% of Liberal Democrats, 64% of Labour voters and 53% of Conservatives agreed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry.NEWS,weblink Church 'out of touch' as public supports equal rights for homosexuals, Bennett, Rosemary, 27 June 2009, The Times, 15 September 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160408155742weblink">weblink 8 April 2016, dead, WEB,weblink Gay Britain Survey, Populus Ltd, Populus, 27 July 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, A poll conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion in July 2010 showed that 78% of British people supported either same-sex marriage or civil partnerships for same-sex couples, with 41% opting for same-sex marriage and 37% opting for civil partnerships. Support for no legal unions for same-sex couples decreased by 3% from August 2009.NEWS,weblink A Third of Americans Favour Same-Sex Marriage, 27 July 2010, Angus Reid, 27 July 2010, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100727184447weblink">weblink 27 July 2010, According to the 2010 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, 61% of Scottish people supported same-sex marriage, while 19% did not, and 18% neither agreed nor disagreed. In a similar poll in 2002, 42% of Scotland's population supported same-sex marriage. In 2006, 53% of Scots backed same-sex marriage.NEWS,weblink 61 per cent of Scots support gay marriage, PinkNews, Jessica, Geen, 12 August 2011, 30 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304061905weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, In July 2011, a representative survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion showed that 43% of Britons believed same-sex couples should be legally allowed to marry, 34% thought same-sex couples should only be allowed to form civil partnerships, and 15% would grant no legal recognition to same-sex couples.NEWS,weblink Two-in-Five Britons Endorse Same-Sex Marriage, 3 August 2011, Angus Reid, 1 September 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130615094717weblink">weblink 15 June 2013, A poll published by YouGov in March 2012 showed that 43% of British people supported same-sex marriage, while 32% supported civil partnerships, and 16% were opposed to any legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Support was particularly high amongst women, young people, people in Scotland and Liberal Democrat voters. Support was lower among the working class, older people, Conservative voters, and men in general. In the same poll, 62% expressed a belief that homosexual relationships had the same value as heterosexual ones, but 47% of people supported the right of the Church of England to defend different-sex marriage and 37% disagreed. A June 2012 YouGov survey indicated increasing support for LGBT rights among the British people. The report found that 71% were in favour of same-sex marriage.WEB, Living together: British attitudes to lesbian, gay and bisexual peoplein 2012,weblink Stonewall (charity), Stonewall, 13 June 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150906111316weblink">weblink 6 September 2015, Two YouGov polls in December 2012 found that 55% of the population were in favour of introducing same-sex marriage.NEWS,weblink YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results, 16 December 2012, YouGov, 19 December 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304084128weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, Another poll in May 2013 confirmed public support for the same-sex marriage bill, with 53% in favour.NEWS,weblink YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results, 12 May 2013, YouGov, 13 May 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303234745weblink">weblink 3 March 2016, A second poll in May showed a similar level of support (54%), and also found that 58% of those who considered same-sex marriage an important election issue would be more likely to vote for a party that supported it.NEWS,weblink YouGov / Sunday Times Survey Results, 19 May 2013, YouGov, 19 May 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303233858weblink">weblink 3 March 2016, A May 2013 Ipsos poll found that 55% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Same-Sex Marriage, 7–21 May 2013, Ipsos,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160314051755weblink">weblink 14 March 2016, A poll by BBC Radio in March 2014 found that 68% of respondents supported same-sex marriage and 26% opposed it. The research also found that young people were more likely to support same-sex marriage, with 80% support from 18–34-year-olds, compared with 44% of over-65s. 75% of women were in favour, compared to 61% of men.WEB, Robert Pigott,weblink Gay weddings: 'Fifth of Britons would turn down invitation', BBC News, 28 March 2014, 5 April 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160326093121weblink">weblink 26 March 2016, A face-to-face survey conducted in 2015 by ICM Research for Channel 4 found that 16% of British Muslims agreed with the statement that same-sex marriage should be legal in Britain, with 56% disagreeing. The survey also found that only 18% thought homosexuality should be legal in Britain, with 52% disagreeing.NEWS, C4 survey and documentary reveals What British Muslims Really Think,weblink Channel 4, 11 April 2016, WEB, C4 / Juniper Survey of Muslims 2015,weblink ICM Unlimited,weblink 10 April 2023, 120, The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 71% of Britons thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 24% were opposed.WEB,weblink Special Eurobarometer 437, Eurobarometer, 19 February 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160122075042weblink">weblink 22 January 2016, File:Youths' Views on Same-sex Marriage (2016).png|thumb|right|Support for same-sex marriage among 18–21-year-olds according to a 2016 survey from the Varkey FoundationVarkey FoundationA September–October 2016 survey by the Varkey Foundation found that 77% of 18–21-year-olds supported same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom.WEB,weblink What The World's Young People Think And Feel, Varkey Foundation, January 2017, Broadbent, Emma, Gougoulis, John, Lui, Nicole, Pota, Vikas, Jonathan, Simons, 14 April 2021, 20 August 2019,weblink live, According to an Ipsos poll published in April 2018, 73% of the British public supported same-sex marriage, while 8% believed it should be banned. A further 13% personally disapproved of it, but did not wish to have it banned again. Additionally, the same poll found that 66% would approve of a royal same-sex wedding.Two-thirds of Brits would approve of a same-sex royal wedding {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209005204weblink |date=9 December 2018 }}, PinkNews, 20 April 2018 A Pew Research Center poll, conducted between April and August 2017 and published in May 2018, showed that 77% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 20% were opposed and 3% did not know or refused to answer.Religion and society {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718110549weblink |date=18 July 2018 }}, Pew Research Center, 29 May 2018 When divided by religion, 83% of non-practising Christians, 82% of religiously unaffiliated people and 63% of church-attending Christians supported same-sex marriage.Being Christian in Western Europe {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925225152weblink |date=25 September 2018 }}, Pew Research Center, 29 May 2018 Opposition was 13% among 18–34-year-olds.Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103072336weblink |date=3 January 2019 }}, Pew Research Center, 2017A June 2018 YouGov opinion poll found that 80% of British people supported the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, with 66% of Northern Irish respondents in favour. 70% of Conservative voters, 89% of Labour voters and 90% of Liberal Democrat voters were in favour of its introduction. Among "Remain" voters, 90% supported same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, whereas "Leave" voters supported it at 68% (this was at a time when in the aftermath of the 2016 EU referendum the issue of Brexit dominated British politics).WEB,weblink Zatat, Narjas, The majority of British people support same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, Indy 100, 28 June 2018, 2 July 2018, 2 July 2018,weblink live, The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 85% of Britons thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 12% were opposed.WEB,weblink Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU, European Commission, TNS, 23 September 2019, 2, 16 February 2020,weblink live, A YouGov poll conducted in September 2022 showed that 76% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 13% were opposed and 10% did not know. More specifically, 52% strongly supported, while 24% "tend[ed] to support" same-sex marriage. Conversely, 7% "tend[ed] to oppose", while 6% strongly opposed same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Support for marriage of same sex couple, 22 June 2023, YouGov, A Pew Research Center poll conducted between February and May 2023 showed that 74% of Britons supported same-sex marriage, 22% were opposed and 4% did not know or refused to answer. When divided by political affiliation, support was highest among those on the left and the centre of the political spectrum at 81%, followed by those on the right at 65%.WEB,weblink How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage, Pew Research Center, 13 June 2023, A June 2023 YouGov poll showed that 78% of Britons supported same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Record number of Brits support same-sex marriage, 10 years after historic vote, PinkNews, 3 July 2023, Sophie, Perry,

England and Wales

(File:Un matrimonio.jpg|thumb|A same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom, 2015)File:LBGT Wedding Photography.jpg|thumb|right|A lesbian couple on their wedding day in LeedsLeedsOn 17 September 2011, at the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference, Lynne Featherstone announced that Her Majesty's Government would launch a consultation in March 2012 on how to implement equal civil marriage for same-sex couples with the intention of any legislative changes being made by the next general election.WEB, Geen, Jessica,weblink Government proposes introducing gay marriage after Cameron intervention, PinkNews, 16 September 2011, 29 April 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304060136weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The Prime Minister's Office let it be known that David Cameron had personally intervened in favour of legalising same-sex unions, and on 5 October 2011 the Conservative Party Conference applauded Cameron's support for same-sex marriage in his Leader's Speech.NEWS,weblink Clegg: We will defy anti-gay marriage rebellion, The Independent, Andrew, Grice, 18 January 2012, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160330233626weblink">weblink 30 March 2016, On 12 March 2012, the Government of the United Kingdom launched the public consultation on equal civil marriage in England and Wales. The government proposals were:

• to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage i.e., only civil ceremonies in a register office or approved premises (like a hotel);
• to make no changes to religious marriages. This would continue only to be legally possible between a man and a woman;
• to retain civil partnerships for same-sex couples and allow couples already in a civil partnership to convert this into a marriage;
• to continue to permit civil partnership registrations on religious premises as is possible, i.e., on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content; and
• to allow individuals to be able legally to change their gender without having to end their marriage.

Several political and media organisations expressed their support for same-sex marriage legislation in England and Wales, including the Green Party of England and Wales,WEB,weblink Greens urge end to ban on same-sex marriage, Green Party, 22 May 2009, 29 April 2012,weblink 5 March 2016, the Liberal Democrats,NEWS, Stamp, Gavin,weblink Lib Dems call for end to barriers to gay marriage, BBC News, 21 September 2010, 29 April 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, the Labour Party, and Plaid Cymru,WEB,weblink Equal Civil Marriage: A Consultation Response. Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, Plaid Cymru, Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, June 2012, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150321233824weblink">weblink 21 March 2015, as well as The Times,WEB,weblink Leading Article: David Cameron is right to back gay marriage, The Times, 5 March 2012, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160409041323weblink">weblink 9 April 2016, dead, The Guardian,NEWS,weblink Gay marriage: torn asunder from reality, The Guardian, 27 February 2012, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160308034059weblink">weblink 8 March 2016, and The Independent, which launched a campaign called "Equal Partners".NEWS,weblink Equal Partners, The Independent, 27 January 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141226215022weblink">weblink 26 December 2014, On 16 January 2013, the Coalition for Equal Marriage announced that it had evidence of the support of a majority of MPs in the House of Commons.WEB,weblink Majority of MPs indicate that they will vote for same-sex marriage in England and Wales, PinkNews, James, Park, 16 January 2013, 16 January 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304002754weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The following political parties expressed their opposition to same-sex marriage legislation in England and Wales: the British National Party, which opposes same-sex marriage and civil partnerships,NEWS,weblink Nick Griffin: Civil partnerships lead to death of children, PinkNews, Scott, Roberts, 26 October 2012, 12 February 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304051324weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, and the UK Independence Party.WEB,weblink 'No intention to support same-sex marriage' says UKIP, Pink News, 16 November 2012, Scott, Roberts, 17 April 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304064603weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The Conservative Party, the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin had no official position or a position of neutrality on either the issue or the legislation as it applied to England and Wales. Senior Conservatives, including David Cameron, William Hague, George Osborne and Theresa May, supported the bill,NEWS,weblink UK lawmakers approve same-sex marriage in first vote, Laura, Smith-Spark, Atika, Shubert, 5 February 2013, CNN,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305092929weblink">weblink 5 March 2016, NEWS, Anthony Faiola,weblink British Conservatives lead charge for gay marriage, The Washington Post, 25 February 2011, 29 April 2012,weblink 10 March 2016, dead, however, the issue was contentious in the party. Just over half of Conservative MPs voted against in second reading, but polling showed that the majority of Conservative voters supported the bill.NEWS, New poll: Most Conservative voters support David Cameron's same-sex marriage policy,weblink PinkNews, 26 December 2012, 18 July 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304060938weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The Scottish National Party do not vote on English and Welsh matters, and therefore did not take part in the second reading vote, although the SNP-led Scottish Government introduced a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland.NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage vote goes through as Tories split, 5 February 2013, The Scotsman, David, Maddox,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, Sinn Féin are abstentionist and therefore do not take their seats or vote in the House of Commons. In 2012, the first Northern Ireland Assembly motion proposed by Sinn Féin and the Green Party of Northern Ireland calling for same-sex marriage was defeated by the Democratic Unionist Party.NEWS,weblink Northern Ireland assembly rejects motion on gay marriage, Henry, McDonald, 1 October 2012, The Guardian,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313065929weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, On 11 December 2012, the government released its response to the consultation. Of the 228,000 responses to the consultation, via the online form, email or correspondence, 53 percent agreed that all couples, regardless of their gender should be able to have a civil marriage ceremony, 46 percent disagreed, and one percent were unsure or did not answer the question.WEB,weblink Equal marriage: The Government's response, Government of the United Kingdom, 11 December 2012, 31 March 2016,weblink 31 March 2016, The government also confirmed that it separately received nineteen petitions from faith groups and organisations such as the Coalition for Marriage, with over 500,000 signatures opposing same-sex marriage.

Legislation

File:Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill, Second Reading.svg|300px|thumbnail|right|Map of MPs by their vote on the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, 5 February 2013.WEB,weblink Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — 5 Feb 2013 at 18:52, Divisions — 2010–present, Westminster, Public Whip, 6 February 2013, 7 February 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160323233043weblink">weblink 23 March 2016, {{Legend|#000088|Labour/Liberal Democrat/Green/Respect/Plaid Cymru/SDLP/Alliance votes for: {{abbr|270|269+1 tell}}}}{{Legend|#0066FF|Conservative votes for: {{abbr|127|126+1 tell}}}}{{Legend|#883388|Conservative votes for both{{refn|i.e. they registered an abstention by voting both for and against the motion.NEWS,weblink BBC News, 5 March 2013, Yes but, no but... MPs who vote both ways, Ed, Lowther, 4 February 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, five of his [Michael Fabricant's] Conservative colleagues voted both yes and no on the government's same-sex marriage legislation in February, |name=cons|group=lower-alpha}}: 5}}{{Legend|#FF0000|Conservative/Democratic Unionist/(Sylvia Hermon|Independent Unionist]] votes against: {{abbr|146|144+2 tell}}}}{{Legend|#880000|Labour/Liberal Democrat votes against: 26}}{{Legend|#CCCCCC|Did not vote: 74}}{{Legend|#EEEEEE|Seat vacant: 2}})On 11 December 2012, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Secretary of State Maria Miller announced that the government would bring forward same-sex marriage legislation for England and Wales in early 2013.WEB,weblink Government: Churches will be able to marry gay couples from next year, PinkNews, Scott, Roberts, 11 December 2012, 11 December 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304055058weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, In response to the consultation results, the proposals were extended to allow religious organisations to opt into performing same-sex marriages if they wish, and a 'quadruple-lock' of additional measures to put the protection of religious freedoms "utterly beyond doubt". These are:

• ensuring the legislation states explicitly that no religious organisation, or individual minister, can be compelled to marry same-sex couples or to permit this to happen on their premises;
• providing an 'opt-in' system for religious organisations who wish to conduct marriages for same-sex couples, which also allows individual ministers to continue to refuse to perform same-sex marriage even when their religious organisation opts in;
• amending the Equality Act 2010 to reflect that no discrimination claims can be brought against religious organisations or individual ministers for refusing to marry a same-sex couple or allowing their premises to be used for this purpose; and
• ensuring that the legislation will not affect the canon law of the Church of England or the Church in Wales, i.e., unless canon law and the same-sex marriage legislation are changed in future, both churches will be legally barred from performing same-sex marriages.

The UK Government addressed consultation responses about the possibility that the European Court of Human Rights could force all churches to marry same-sex couples, stating: {{blockquote|text=Both the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights put the protection of religious belief in this matter beyond doubt. We will draft the legislation to ensure that there is a negligible chance of a successful legal challenge in any domestic court, or the ECtHR that would force any religious organisation to conduct marriages for same-sex couples against their will. Any possible claims would be brought against the Government, rather than an organisation to ensure religious organisations would not have to use their resources to fight any legal challenges.}}On 24 January 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced to the Commons by Maria Miller, and a full debate occurred at the second reading on 5 February.NEWS,weblink Gay marriage: MPs set to vote on proposals for the first time, 24 January 2013, BBC News, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, WEB,weblink Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13 to 2013–14, Parliament of the United Kingdom, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160322011133weblink">weblink 22 March 2016, The bill retained some distinctions from marriage between a man and a woman; e.g. in divorce proceedings, adultery can only involve sexual conduct between two persons of the opposite sex, while non-consummation will not be grounds for annulment of a same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, Schedule 4, The National Archives (United Kingdom), The National Archives, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150710150656weblink">weblink 10 July 2015, On 5 February 2013, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons by 400 votes to 175.NEWS,weblink 5 February 2013, BBC News, Gay marriage: Legislation passes Commons despite Tory opposition, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160227195447weblink">weblink 27 February 2016, File:Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - Third Reading Lords celebration - singers.jpg|thumb|Members of the London Gay Men's ChorusLondon Gay Men's ChorusThe bill was examined in 13 sittings by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Committee, a public bill committee established to scrutinise the bill line by line. The bill completed its committee stage on 12 March 2013 and had its report stage in the House of Commons on 20–21 May 2013.WEB,weblink Parliamentary business for Monday 20 May 2013, Parliament of the United Kingdom, 10 May 2013, 7 January 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink live, WEB,weblink Parliamentary business for Tuesday 21 May 2013, Parliament of the United Kingdom, 10 May 2013, 7 January 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink live, The third reading took place on 21 May, and was approved by 366 votes to 161,NEWS, Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan,weblink 21 May 2013, 21 May 2013, BBC News,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160131105706weblink">weblink 31 January 2016, with the bill receiving its first reading in the House of Lords the same evening.HANSARD, Lords Hansard text for 21 May 2013,weblink House of Lords, 21 May 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160329165521weblink">weblink 29 March 2016, 834, WEB,weblink Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – First Reading, 21 July 2022, 9 March 2017,weblink The bill had its second reading unopposed in the Lords on 4 June, after a "wrecking amendment" proposed by Lord Dear was defeated by a vote of 390–148, thus allowing the bill to proceed to the committee stage.WEB,weblink House of Lords votes in favour of same-sex marriage bill at second reading, PinkNews, Joseph Patrick, McCormick, 4 June 2013, 4 June 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304062949weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, The bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords on 15 July 2013,NEWS,weblink Gay marriage clears the House of Lords, The Daily Telegraph, John, Bingham, 15 July 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160324103531weblink">weblink 24 March 2016, and the Commons accepted all of the Lords' amendments on the following day, with royal assent by Queen Elizabeth II granted on 17 July 2013.NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales, BBC News, 16 July 2013, 16 July 2013, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160205044915weblink">weblink 5 February 2016, On 10 December 2013, Miller announced that same-sex marriage ceremonies would begin on 29 March 2014 in England and Wales.WEB,weblink First Same Sex weddings to happen from 29 March 2014, Government of the United Kingdom, 16 January 2014,weblink 4 March 2016, Couples wishing to be among the first to marry were required to give formal notice of their intention by 13 March 2014. As of 13 March 2014, couples who have entered into same-sex marriages overseas are recognised as married in England and Wales.NEWS,weblink Congratulations! England and Wales begin to recognise overseas same-sex marriages, PinkNews, Nick, Duffy, 13 March 2014, 13 March 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160314111718weblink">weblink 14 March 2016, The parts of the law that allow civil partnerships to be converted into marriages, and allow married people to change their legal gender while remaining married, took effect on 10 December 2014.NEWS,weblink Sajid Javid: I am pleased to announce that couples can soon convert civil partnerships to marriage, PinkNews, Sajid, Javid, 26 June 2014, 27 June 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304042448weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, Same-sex marriages in England and Wales began at midnight on 29 March 2014.

Scotland

{{Further|LGBT rights in Scotland}}Same-sex marriage has been legal in Scotland since 16 December 2014, with the first same-sex marriages occurring on 31 December 2014.NEWS,weblink First same-sex weddings take place in Scotland, BBC News, 31 December 2014, 21 July 2018, 4 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304070014weblink">weblink live, NEWS,weblink Scotland legalizes same-sex marriage, 4 February 2014, LGBTQ Nation, 4 February 2014, 18 February 2019,weblink live, The law provides that religious organisations and individual celebrants are under no obligation to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, though religious organisations are permitted to authorise their clergy to do so.On 25 July 2012, the Scottish Government announced that it would legalise same-sex marriage.NEWS,weblink Gay marriage to be introduced in Scotland, 25 July 2012, BBC News, 25 July 2012, 6 February 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160206130709weblink">weblink live, The move was announced despite opposition by the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland. Although Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move as the "right thing to do", she reassured churches that they would not be forced to perform same-sex marriages.NEWS, Scotland's gay marriage law to progress,weblink 18 July 2013, The Independent, 25 July 2012, Katrine, Bussey, Hilary, Duncanson, 5 October 2018,weblink live, During the consultation phase, ministers received over 19,000 messages from constituents about the issue.NEWS, Ministers contacted over gay marriage more than Scottish independence referendum,weblink The Scotsman, 11 May 2012, 4 February 2014, 6 October 2018,weblink live, {{wikinews|Scottish legislature gives green light to same-sex marriage}}On 27 June 2013, the Scottish Government introduced same-sex marriage legislation to the Scottish Parliament.WEB,weblink Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Parliament, 5 September 2015, 4 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304202216weblink">weblink live, NEWS,weblink Bill published to make same-sex marriage legal in Scotland, 27 June 2013, PinkNews, 27 June 2013, 4 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304064313weblink">weblink live, On 4 February 2014, the Scottish Parliament held its final reading on the bill to permit same-sex marriages. The bill passed by a vote of 108–15 and received royal assent on 12 March 2014.NEWS,weblink Scotland's same-sex marriage bill is passed, BBC News, 4 February 2014, 8 December 2018, 13 May 2019,weblink live, The legislation allows religious and faith organisations to be exempted from having to conduct or be involved in same-sex marriages if it contravenes their beliefs.WEB,weblink Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill – statement on the Equality Act 2010, Scottish Government, 26 June 2013, 5 September 2015, 15 January 2019,weblink dead, The first same-sex weddings occurred on 31 December 2014, though civil partnerships could be exchanged for marriage certificates from 16 December so the very first same-sex marriages under Scottish law were recognised that day.WEB,weblink Scotland's Marriage Equality Starts Today, Thom, Senzee, The Advocate (LGBT magazine), The Advocate, 16 December 2014, 5 September 2015, 6 October 2018,weblink live,

Northern Ireland

{{see also|LGBT rights in Northern Ireland}}Same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland on 13 January 2020. In previous years, the Northern Ireland Assembly had voted on the issue on five occasions, winning a majority for same-sex marriage once. Previously, same-sex marriages performed in England, Wales and Scotland were recognised as civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.WEB,weblink Assembly members vote to block gay marriage, The News Letter, Sam, McBride, 26 June 2013, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160323062656weblink">weblink 23 March 2016, NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage law bid fails, Belfast Telegraph, 29 April 2013, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160403093807weblink">weblink 3 April 2016, dead,

History

Legislation to allow for the recognition of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland has been debated in the Assembly five times since 2012. On four of those occasions, only a minority of assembly members voted in favour of same-sex marriage, though the most recent vote on the issue in November 2015 saw a majority of MLAs vote in favour of same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Northern Ireland MLA's vote 'yes' for gay marriage – but motion is torpedoed by DUP, Belfast Telegraph, Noel, McAdam, 2 November 2015, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160115030104weblink">weblink 15 January 2016, dead, On 27 April 2015, the Northern Ireland Assembly voted for the fourth time on the recognition of same-sex marriage. The motion for recognition was introduced by Sinn Féin and was defeated by a majority of 49 votes to 47; all Democratic Unionist (DUP) members in the Assembly voted against it, while all Sinn Féin, Green Party and NI21 members voted for it.NEWS,weblink 27 April 2015, Northern Ireland Assembly rejects same-sex marriage, 23 May 2015, PinkNews, Naith, Payton,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160313050841weblink">weblink 13 March 2016, NEWS,weblink Assembly rejects motion on same-sex marriage again, The Irish Times, Gerry, Moriarty, 27 April 2015, 27 April 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304102936weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, On 2 November 2015, 105 MLAs voted on a motion to recognise same-sex marriage, with 53 voting in favour and 52 voting against, the first time same-sex marriage had received majority support in the Assembly. However, the Democratic Unionist Party tabled a petition of concern, preventing the motion from having any legal effect.WEB,weblink Official Report (Hansard), 2 November 2015, Northern Ireland Assembly, Refer to pp. 1–18, 5 March 2017, 5 March 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170305114940weblink">weblink live, Sinn Féin said that legislation regarding same-sex marriage would be a priority for the party in the Assembly elected in May 2016.NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage to be Sinn Fein's priority in the next Assembly session, 28 April 2016, Belfast Telegraph, 29 April 2016, 10 April 2019,weblink live, On 23 June 2016, Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir announced he had requested that officials in the Northern Ireland Executive begin drafting legislation to allow same-sex marriage, stating that MLAs would much rather vote on the issue than "be forced to legislate [following] an adverse judgment" in the courts.WEB,weblink Northern Ireland finance minister calls for gay marriage bill, Stowe Family Law LLP, 23 June 2016, 20 July 2016, 21 August 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170821043759weblink">weblink live, In October 2016, First Minister Arlene Foster reaffirmed the DUP's opposition to same-sex marriage, saying the party would continue to issue a petition of concern blocking same-sex marriage in the Assembly over the next five years.WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage: Arlene Foster criticised for 'childish' online abuse comments, BBC News, 28 October 2016, 10 July 2019, 24 January 2018,weblink live, The DUP won fewer than 30 seats at the March 2017 elections, meaning it lost the right to unilaterally block a bill using a petition of concern.WEB,weblink NI Election: DUP loses 'petition of concern' power opening door for gay marriage – Sinn Fein slashes lead to one seat, Belfast Telegraph, 4 March 2017, 4 March 2017, 10 April 2019,weblink live, Karen Bradley, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, stated in February 2018 that same-sex marriage could be legislated for in Northern Ireland by the UK Parliament, and that the government would likely allow a conscience vote for its MPs if such legislation was introduced.WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage could be introduced to Northern Ireland via Westminster – Bradley, Independent.ie, 20 February 2018, 23 February 2018, 12 June 2018,weblink live, Labour MP Conor McGinn said he would introduce a private member's bill extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland by the end of March 2018.WEB,weblink Labour MP to introduce Northern Ireland same-sex marriage bill in March, 23 February 2018, Belfast Telegraph, 24 February 2018, 10 April 2019,weblink live, The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 28 March 2018, and passed its first reading.WEB,weblink Status and progress of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Bill 2017–19, Services.parliament.uk, 2018-04-16, 2019-05-20, 26 August 2018,weblink live, WEB,weblink Text of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Bill, 2019-05-20, 21 April 2018,weblink live, The bill's second reading in the Commons was blocked by a Conservative MP on three occasions in 2018.WEB,weblink 11 May 2018, Belfast Telegraph, Bid to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland blocked, 13 May 2018, 2 July 2018,weblink live, WEB,weblink Voter Registration Bill, 23 November 2018 Volume 649, Hansard.parliament.uk, 2018-11-23, 2019-05-20, 27 November 2018,weblink live, An identical bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 27 March by Baron Hayward, and passed its first reading that day.NI same-sex marriage bill passes first stage in Lords {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916215503weblink |date=16 September 2018 }}, BBC News, 28 March 2018 As both bills were private member's bills without government support, they failed to progress any further. In February 2019, Lord Hayward withdrew an amendment to an unrelated government bill, which if passed would have extended same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, on opposition from government Lords.WEB,weblink Westminster bid to introduce same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland is withdrawn, The Irish News, 2 March 2019, 4 March 2019, 29 January 2020,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20200129215509weblink">weblink live, On 1 November 2018, royal assent was granted to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018, which contains sections describing Northern Ireland's same-sex marriage and abortion bans as human rights violations. The law did not legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, but directed the British Government to "issue guidance" to civil servants in Northern Ireland "in relation to the incompatibility of human rights with [the region's laws on the two issues]". The law passed 207–117 in the House of Commons.Northern Ireland equal marriage measure passed by MPs in symbolic vote {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022642weblink |date=27 November 2018 }}. PinkNews, 24 October 2018WEB,weblink Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018, Services.parliament.uk, 2019-05-20, 27 November 2018,weblink live,

2019 legalisation by Westminster

File:Northern Ireland marriage vote second reading.svg|300px|thumb|right|Map of MPs by their vote on the amendment extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland.WEB,weblink Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn), CommonsVotes, 11 July 2019, 10 July 2019,weblink dead, {{Legend|#000088|Labour/Liberal Democrat/Scottish National/Change UK/Plaid Cymru/Green/Independent votes for: {{abbr|278}} (+2 tellers)}}{{Legend|#0066FF|Conservative votes for: {{abbr|105|}}}}{{Legend|#FF0000|Conservative/Democratic Unionist votes against: {{abbr|73}} (+2 tellers)}}{{Legend|#cccccc|Absent/Abstentionist ((Sinn Féin]]) votes: {{abbr|190}}}}{{Legend|#EEEEEE|Seat vacant: 1}})In July 2019, McGinn announced his intention to attach an amendment to an upcoming administrative bill relating to Northern Ireland, which would legalise same-sex marriage three months after passage of the bill if the Northern Ireland Assembly remained suspended. Under the terms of the originally-drafted amendment, the region's executive could approve or repeal the measure upon resumption.WEB,weblink MPs in fresh attempt to extend equal marriage to Northern Ireland, The Guardian, 2 July 2019, 3 July 2019, 30 November 2019,weblink live, The amendment passed in the House of Commons with 383 votes in favour and 73 votes against.WEB,weblink MPs vote to extend same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland, The Guardian, 9 July 2019, 9 July 2019, 16 November 2019,weblink live, WEB,weblink Northern Ireland same-sex marriage move backed by MPs, BBC News, 9 July 2019, 9 July 2019, 9 July 2019,weblink live, McGinn's amendment, which was further amended by Lord Hayward during passage in the House of Lords, required the Secretary of State to issue regulations extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland if the Assembly had not reconvened by 21 October 2019. If this occurred, then the regulations would come into effect on 13 January 2020.WEB,weblink Peers back NI same sex marriage and abortion reform, BBC News, 17 July 2019, 21 July 2019, 25 July 2019,weblink live, The bill passed its final stages in the Parliament and received royal assent on 24 July 2019, becoming the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.WEB,weblink Legislative Overview: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, Parliament of the United Kingdom, 14 January 2020, 24 December 2019,weblink live, NEWS,weblink Law liberalising abortion and same-sex marriage in NI passes final stage, The Irish Times, 23 July 2019, 26 July 2019, 4 September 2019,weblink live, On 21 October 2019, 31 unionist MLAs signed a petition to reconvene the Northern Ireland Assembly to pass legislation to keep abortion illegal. The sitting was boycotted by Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Green Party, and People Before Profit, and as a result the speaker, Robin Newton, ruled that the Assembly could not conduct business after an election unless a speaker could be elected on a cross-community vote. The sitting was therefore abandoned, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, stated in the House of Commons that the British Government would issue the regulations as obliged.NEWS,weblink NI parties fail in bid to stop abortion law change, 2019-10-21, 2019-10-21, en-GB, 9 November 2019,weblink live, The regulations came into effect on 13 January 2020,WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage is finally legal in Northern Ireland, CNN, 13 January 2020, McGee, Luke, 13 January 2020, 13 January 2020,weblink live, and the first legal same-sex wedding ceremony in Northern Ireland took place on 11 February 2020 between Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards-Peoples in Belfast.NEWS, Media, P. A.,weblink Same-sex marriage: Couple make history as first in NI, 11 February 2020, BBC News, 11 February 2020, en-GB, 14 February 2020,weblink live,

Court challenges

Two legal challenges to Northern Ireland's same-sex marriage ban were heard in the High Court in November and December 2015.WEB,weblink Northern Ireland's gay marriage ban: Judgment reserved on legal challenge, Belfast Telegraph, 4 December 2015, 29 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160311132341weblink">weblink 11 March 2016, dead, Two couples, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickles and Chris and Henry Flanagan-Kanem, brought the case claiming that Northern Ireland's prohibition on same-sex marriage breached their human rights. The case was heard simultaneously with a case brought in January 2015 in which two men who wed in England sought to have their marriage recognised in Northern Ireland. A ruling was handed down in August 2017; Judge John Ailbe O'Hara found against the couples and determined that there were no grounds under case law from the European Court of Human Rights that the couples' rights were violated by Northern Ireland's refusal to recognise their union as a marriage. One of the couples involved in the litigation (who were granted anonymity) said they would appeal the ruling.WEB,weblink High Court rejects legal challenge for equal marriage in Northern Ireland, Pink News, 17 August 2017, 17 August 2017, 11 October 2018,weblink live, WEB,weblink Summary of Judgement; Judge Dismisses Same Sex Marriage Petition, 17 August 2017, courtsni.gov.uk, 21 July 2022, 28 March 2020,weblink live, The appeal was heard by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal on 16 March 2018; a ruling had been expected some time in 2019.WEB,weblink Judgment reserved on Northern Ireland couple's same-sex marriage legal challenge, Belfast Telegraph, 16 March 2018, 21 March 2018, 25 December 2019,weblink live, On 7 April 2020, the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that same-sex couples faced unjustified discrimination while denied the opportunity to marry in Northern Ireland. But with changes to the law meaning same-sex weddings can take place in Northern Ireland since 11 February 2020, senior judges decided not to make a formal declaration on any human rights breach.WEB,weblink Ban on same sex marriage was 'unjustified discrimination', Northern Ireland court rules, Belfast Telegraph, 7 April 2020, 8 June 2020, 8 June 2020,weblink live, WEB,weblink Court delivers same sex marriage judgment – Summary of Judgment, Judiciary NI, 7 April 2020, 8 June 2020, 17 April 2020,weblink live, WEB,weblink Close (Grainne) and Shannon Sickles and Christopher Flanagan-Kane and Henry Flanagan-Kane's Application, Judiciary NI, 7 April 2020, 8 June 2020, 16 July 2020,weblink live,

Public opinion

A September 2014 LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph showed that 40.1% of the population supported same-sex marriage, while 39.4% opposed and 20.5% either had or stated no opinion. Of those that gave an opinion, 50.5% supported and 49.5% opposed same-sex marriage.WEB,weblink Slim majority in Northern Ireland supports same sex marriage law, Belfast Telegraph, Liam, Clakre, 3 October 2014, 3 October 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20151208151510weblink">weblink 8 December 2015, dead, A poll in May 2015 found that 68% of the population supported same-sex marriage, with support rising to 75% in Belfast.NEWS,weblink Gay marriage now has overwhelming support in Northern Ireland, Belfast Telegraph, Claire, Cromie, 6 July 2015, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160404020324weblink">weblink 4 April 2016, dead, A "mass rally", organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Amnesty International, and the Rainbow Project took place in Belfast on 13 June 2015,NEWS, McDonald, Henry, Northern Ireland under pressure after Irish gay marriage referendum win,weblink 25 May 2015, The Guardian, 24 May 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150525182516weblink">weblink 25 May 2015, live, The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will join Amnesty International and gay rights group the Rainbow Project to hold a mass rally in support of equal marriage rights on 13 June, while a legal test case has also been lodged with Belfast's courts., with a 20,000 person turnout.NEWS, Thousands attend same-sex marriage rally in Belfast,weblink Raidió Teilifís Éireann, 15 June 2015, 13 June 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304002502weblink">weblink 4 March 2016, A June 2016 poll placed support for same-sex marriage at 70%, while those opposing it at 22%.NEWS,weblink Survey shows 70% support for same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland – BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, Belfasttelegraph.co.uk, 29 June 2016, 3 May 2019,weblink live, An April 2018 poll put support for same-sex marriage among Northern Ireland's population at 76%, while 18% were opposed.WEB,weblink 76% of Northern Ireland back marriage equality in latest poll, Gaytimes.co.uk, 2018-04-09, 2019-05-20, 21 June 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180621000036weblink">weblink live,

Marriage statistics

File:First same sex wedding in Islington.jpg|thumb|The first same-sex wedding in Islington, Greater LondonGreater London1,409 same-sex marriages were performed between 29 March and 30 June 2014, with lesbian couples accounting for 56% of these marriages.WEB,weblinkweblink dead, 2016-01-05, How many marriages of same sex couples have been formed in England and Wales so far?, Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk, 2014-08-21, 2019-05-20, By October 2015, approximately 15,000 same-sex marriages had been performed in England and Wales. Of these, 7,366 were new marriages, while 7,732 were conversions from civil partnerships. 55% of these marriages were between female couples and 45% were between male couples.Gay marriage: 15,000 same-sex couples wed since law change {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127025433weblink |date=27 November 2018 }} BBC News During that same time period, the number of couples opting for civil partnerships fell significantly. In Cheshire for example, around 70 civil partnerships were recorded each year, but in 2015 only 4 partnerships were performed in the county.WEB, Lydia Morris,weblink Civil partnerships in Cheshire almost disappear following new gay-marriage law, Chesterchronicle.co.uk, 2016-09-14, 2019-05-20, 12 September 2018,weblink live, 462 same-sex marriages were performed in Scotland in the first five months of legalisation, accounting for 12% of all marriages performed during that time.WEB, Mark McGivern,weblink One in eight marriages in Scotland are same sex, according to new figures, Dailyrecord.co.uk, 2015-03-31, 2019-05-20, 11 December 2018,weblink live, Statistics published by the National Records of Scotland showed that 1,671 same-sex marriages took place in Scotland in 2015. Of these, 935 were conversions from civil partnerships and 736 were new marriages.WEB,weblink 1,671 Scottish same-sex marriages in 2015, Equality-network.org, 2016-03-14, 2019-05-20, 11 October 2018,weblink dead, The first same-sex marriage for a member of the British royal family occurred on 22 September 2018 when Lord Ivar Mountbatten married his partner James Coyle at his private estate in Uffculme. Mountbatten is through his father, David Mountbatten, the great-great-great grandson of Queen Victoria, and a first cousin, once removed of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His ex-wife Penny Mountbatten walked him down the aisle.NEWS, Reynolds, Daniel, Get Ready for the First Gay Royal Wedding,weblink 17 June 2018, 18 June 2018, The following table shows the number of same-sex marriages performed in England and Wales since March 2014 according to the Office for National Statistics. The overwhelming majority of same-sex marriages are performed in civil ceremonies; there were 23 religious same-sex marriages in 2014, 44 in 2015, 61 in 2016, 43 in 2017 and 63 in 2018. In 2018, the average age of marriage for same-sex partners was 40.4 years for men and 36.9 years for women. Figures for 2020 are lower than previous years because of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"|+Marriages in England and Wales! rowspan=2| Year ! colspan=3 align=center| Same-sex marriages! rowspan=2| Conversions frompartnerships! rowspan=2| Opposite-sex marriages! rowspan=2| Total marriages! Female ! Male! Total

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=22 AUGUST 2019	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20190822144747/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2014						| 252,222

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=22 AUGUST 2019	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20190725211404/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2015						| 245,513

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=22 AUGUST 2019	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20200419083033/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2016						| 249,793

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=8 JUNE 2020	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20200608142431/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2017						| 242,842

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=20 AUGUST 2021	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20210824041749/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2018						| 234,795

	ACCESS-DATE=2022-07-12	ARCHIVE-DATE=22 AUGUST 2019	URL-STATUS=LIVE, |3,861|2,867|6,728 |578 |213,122 |219,850

	WEBSITE=OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS	ACCESS-DATE=2 DECEMBER 2023	ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230511101317/HTTPS://WWW.ONS.GOV.UK/PEOPLEPOPULATIONANDCOMMUNITY/BIRTHSDEATHSANDMARRIAGES/MARRIAGECOHABITATIONANDCIVILPARTNERSHIPS/BULLETINS/MARRIAGESINENGLANDANDWALESPROVISIONAL/2020, live, |1,609|1,202|2,811|238|89,959|85,770

The 2021 United Kingdom census showed that there were 133,618 people in same-sex civil partnerships and 268,522 married same-sex spouses in England and Wales, with Brighton and Hove having the highest proportion of same-sex marriages of any city in England and Wales.WEB,weblink 3 November 2022, Census reveals Brighton & Hove is same-sex capital of England and Wales, Graham, Robson, Gscene,

Religious performance

Most major religious organisations in the United Kingdom do not perform same-sex marriages in their places of worship. Some smaller Christian denominations such as the Dutch Church in London,WEB,weblink Nederlandse Kerk: Gay marriage, Dutchchurch.org.uk, 2019-05-20, 28 December 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171228054223weblink">weblink live, Quakers and Unitarians perform same-sex marriages. In addition, Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism perform same-sex marriages, and campaigned in favour of legislation.WEB,weblink Reform Judaism backs gay marriage, 7 March 2012, 10 July 2016, 15 September 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160915081725weblink">weblink live, Pagans also perform same-sex marriages.WEB,weblink Same-sex couple married in pagan first, 19 January 2015, BBC News, In May 2016, the Oasis Church Waterloo in London applied for a licence that would allow it to conduct same-sex marriages. Pastor Steve Chalke said "Oasis Church in Waterloo has reached the decision. It's taken us some time to reach it, that this is something we want to do".WEB,weblink Pastor Steve Chalke of Oasis Church applies for licence to minister to same-sex marriages, Christiantoday.com, 2016-05-11, 2019-05-20, 28 December 2017,weblink live, In June 2016, the Scottish Episcopal Church became the first British province in the Anglican Communion to take steps to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in their churches. The General Synod voted in favour of a motion to begin discussion amongst the seven dioceses to remove the doctrinal clause which stated that marriage was "between a man and a woman". The vote received support from five of seven bishops, 69% of the clergy and 80% of the laity.NEWS,weblink Scottish Episcopal Church takes gay marriage step, BBC News, 10 June 2016, 21 July 2018, 8 April 2019,weblink live, The General Synod formally approved the change to the doctrinal clause in June 2017, removing language stating that marriages could only be "between a man and a woman" and introducing a new conscience clause which allows clergy to opt out of performing same-sex weddings.WEB,weblink 8 June 2017, Guardian, Scottish Episcopal church votes to allow same-sex weddings, 9 June 2017, 26 April 2019,weblink live, On 20 July 2017, it was announced that a same-sex wedding was to be held at St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow later in the summer.WEB, Perraudin, Frances, First same-sex marriage at Anglican church in UK to be held this summer, The Guardian, 20 July 2017,weblink 27 July 2017, 6 December 2018,weblink live, On 1 August 2017, a same-sex marriage, which included the Eucharist as a nuptial mass, was held at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Edinburgh. The Scottish Episcopal Church is estimated to have 100,000 members, and offers same-sex marriage to other Anglicans, including members of churches in England and the United States.WEB, Britain's first Anglican same-sex marriage celebrated in a Scottish church, Religion News Service, 4 August 2017,weblink 6 August 2017, 6 August 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170806142025weblink">weblink live, NEWS,weblink Scottish Episcopal Church approves gay marriage, 2017-06-08, BBC News, 2017-06-13, en-GB, 5 October 2018,weblink live, In July 2016, the United Reformed Church voted overwhelmingly to allow its churches to perform same-sex marriages. The Church, with 60,000 members and 1,400 congregations, became the largest Christian denomination in the United Kingdom to offer same-sex marriages at that time.NEWS,weblink United Reformed Church approves gay marriage services, Callum, May, BBC News, 9 July 2016, 21 July 2018, 8 April 2019,weblink live, In June 2021 the Methodist Church of Great Britain voted to permit same-sex marriage in their places of worship. The Methodist Conference voted 254 to 46 in favour of the move. A freedom of conscience clause allows ministers with objections to opt out of performing same-sex weddings. With about 164,000 members and 4,000 churches, the Methodist Church became the largest Christian denomination in the country to permit same-sex marriages at that time.NEWS,weblink Methodist church to allow same-sex marriage after 'historic' vote, Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian, 30 June 2021, 30 June 2021, 30 June 2021,weblink live, WEB,weblink Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote, BBC News, 1 July 2021, Harry Farley, 1 July 2021, 1 July 2021,weblink live, Among the first couples to wed were Jason and Ben McMahon-Riley who married at the Fulwood Methodist Church in Preston, Lancashire on 17 June 2021.WEB,weblink Preston: Same-sex couple among first to get married in a Methodist Church, 20 June 2022, Sarah, McGee, Lancashire Telegraph, The Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage and does not allow its priests to officiate at such marriages. In December 2023, the Holy See published Fiducia supplicans, a declaration allowing Catholic priests to bless couples who are not considered to be married according to church teaching, including the blessing of same-sex couples.WEB, Flynn, JD, 2023-12-22, Is the 'false narrative' narrative a false narrative?,weblink 2023-12-23, The Pillar, en, 23 December 2023,weblink live, The British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy released a statement on 21 December that the blessings outlined in Fiducia supplicans are "theologically, pastorally and practically inadmissible".WEB,weblink 'Fiducia supplicans': Who's saying what?, The Pillar, Luke, Coppen, 19 December 2023,

Church of England

In January 2023, bishops of the Church of England refused to support a change to permit same-sex couples to marry in its churches. However, the bishops supported a "prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing" for same-sex couples following a civil marriage or partnership.WEB,weblink BBC News, 18 January 2023, Church of England bishops refuse to back gay marriage, The General Synod of the Church of England voted 250–181 to support the move in early February. Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell said, "It has been a long road to get us to this point. For the first time, the [Church of England] will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church. The church continues to have deep differences on these questions which go to the heart of our human identity. As archbishops, we are committed to respecting the conscience of those for whom this goes too far and to ensure that they have all the reassurances they need in order to maintain the unity of the church as this conversation continues."WEB,weblink Church of England votes in favour of blessings for same-sex unions, The Guardian, 9 February 2023, Harriet, Sherwood, Religious same-sex marriage ceremonies in the Church of England are supported by some clergy, including the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft,WEB,weblink BBC News, 2 November 2022, Bishop of Oxford says church should marry gay couples, and the Bishop of Reading, Olivia Graham.NEWS, Burgess, Kaya, 2022-11-03, Bishop becomes most senior Church figure to back same-sex marriage, en, The Times,weblink subscription, 2022-11-03, 0140-0460, In March 2023, Labour MP Ben Bradshaw introduced a bill to Parliament to "allow, in certain circumstances, priests and parishes [of the Church of England] that wish to conduct same-sex weddings to do so".WEB,weblink Labour MP introduces bill to allow same-sex marriages in Church of England, PinkNews, 23 March 2023, Sophie, Perry, A 2023 survey conducted by The Times showed that 53% of priests in the Church of England supported religious same-sex marriage ceremonies in the church.WEB,weblink Most Church of England priests back gay marriage, survey finds, The Guardian, 30 August 2023, Alexandra, Topping, On 15 November, the General Synod voted to allow clergy to bless same-sex marriages. The measure, which passed with a one vote majority, took effect on 17 December 2023.WEB,weblink Church of England will try out blessing same-sex marriages, LGBTQ Nation, 16 November 2023, Bil, Browning, WEB,weblink Church of England backs services for gay couples, 16 November 2023, BBC News, Harry, Farley, Among the first couples to receive a blessing were Reverend Catherine Bond and Reverend Jane Pearce during Holy Eucharist on 17 December at St. John the Baptist Church in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Reverend Canon Andrew Dotchin, who offered the blessing, described the couple's relationship as a "pilgrimage graced by [God's] blessing".WEB,weblink Same-sex couples receive blessings for first time in Church of England, David, Paulsen, 17 December 2023, Episcopal News Service,

Church of Scotland

In May 2018, the Church of Scotland voted to draft new laws that would allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages. The motion was passed by the General Assembly by a vote of 345 to 170. The legal questions committee had two years to draft legislation. In May 2021, the General Assembly voted 319–217 to approve the draft legislation. The law includes safeguards for ministers opposed to performing same-sex marriages. The presbyteries voted 29–12 in support of the legislation in April, and the General Assembly gave its final approval on 23 May 2022 by 274 votes to 136. Reverend Scott Rennie, the minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen, welcomed the move, saying, "My marriage to my husband, Dave, nurtures my life and my ministry, and frankly I do not think I could be a minister of this church without his love and support. It is always there in the background. Same-sex marriage is like opposite-sex marriage and it has its joys and sorrows, its glories and its tensions. It's pretty normal, really." The vote made the Church of Scotland the largest church in the United Kingdom to allow same-sex marriages.

Church in Wales

In September 2021, the Church in Wales voted to bless–but not perform–same-sex marriages in the church. The move was supported unanimously by the bishops, while the clergy voted 28 to 12 in favor with two abstentions, and the laity voted 49 to 10 with one abstention. Gregory Cameron, bishop of the Diocese of St Asaph, said the decision was a "huge step forward for the church and for us all in Wales". The measure includes a conscience clause, allowing individual clergy to decide whether or not to offer blessings.NEWS, 6 September 2021, Church in Wales to give blessings for same-sex marriages,weblink BBC News, 7 September 2021, 6 September 2021,weblink live, WEB,weblink Church in Wales votes to bless same-sex marriages, The Guardian, 6 September 2021, Sherwood, Harriet, 9 September 2021, 8 September 2021,weblink live, WEB,weblink Church in Wales to allow pastors to bless same-sex marriages, won't conduct gay weddings, Christian Post, 8 September 2021, Alcindor, Nicole, 9 September 2021, 9 September 2021,weblink live, Cameron performed the first blessing of a same-sex relationship on 13 November 2021 for Father Lee Taylor, the Vicar of Llangollen, and his partner Fabiano Da Silva Duarte.WEB,weblink Bishop blessed vicar's civil partnership at special Llangollen service, North Wales Chronicle, 14 November 2021, Evans, Arron, 5 December 2021, 5 December 2021,weblink live,

Consular marriage

Following the Consular Marriage and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014, "a consular marriage may take place in those countries or territories outside the United Kingdom which have notified the Secretary of State in writing that there is no objection to such marriages taking place in that country or territory and which have not subsequently revoked that notice".WEB,weblink The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014, The National Archives, 1 January 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, Same-sex consular marriages are possible in 26 countries: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China (including Hong Kong),WEB,weblink LCQ7: Provision of same-sex marriage registration services by foreign consulates, www.info.gov.hk, 29 May 2020, 27 October 2018,weblink live, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, the Seychelles and Vietnam.WEB,weblink Same sex couples will now be able to marry at British Consulates in 25 countries, Government of the United Kingdom, 1 January 2015,weblink 1 January 2015, WEB,weblink First same-sex couple to marry in Seychelles at British High Commission, Pinknews.co.uk, 2015-06-12, 2019-05-20, 16 June 2018,weblink live, 240 consular same-sex marriages were performed between June 2014 and the end of December 2015. An additional 140 couples converted their civil partnerships into marriages.Human Rights & Democracy {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107105715weblink |date=7 November 2018 }} Foreign and Commonwealth Office Consular marriages for same-sex couples were particularly popular in Australia prior to the country's legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017. 445 couples had married in British consulates across Australia by October 2017.WEB,weblink Same-sex couple tie the knot in Australia using marriage equality loophole, PinkNews, 27 October 2017, 5 June 2018, 12 June 2018,weblink live,

Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories

Same-sex marriage is legal and performed in the three Crown Dependencies of Britain and in eight of the fourteen Overseas Territories.

Crown Dependencies

• Isle of Man – Legislation allowing the performance and recognition of same-sex marriage was approved by the House of Keys on 8 March 2016, and by the Legislative Council on 26 April 2016.WEB,weblink 08 Mar 2016 House of Keys Hansard, Tynwald, 12 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160310013209weblink">weblink 10 March 2016, WEB,weblink Isle of Man same-sex marriage bill approved, BBC, 26 April 2016, 21 July 2018, 28 April 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160428104808weblink">weblink live, The legislation was granted royal assent and went into effect on 22 July 2016.NEWS,weblink From Friday same-sex couples will be able to get married in the Isle of Man, IOMToday, 19 July 2016, 19 July 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160719132412weblink">weblink 19 July 2016,
• Guernsey – The States of Guernsey approved a motion to legislate for the recognition and performance of same-sex marriage in December 2015.WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage gets Guernsey States approval, BBC News, 10 December 2015, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160131132713weblink">weblink 31 January 2016, The Same-Sex Marriage (Guernsey) Law, 2016 was approved by the States in September 2016 by a vote of 33–5, and gained royal assent on 14 December 2016.WEB,weblink Orders approved at Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 14th December 2016, Privy Council of the United Kingdom, 18, 15 December 2016,weblink 15 December 2016, WEB,weblink This Tiny Island Has Just Voted To Introduce Same-Sex Marriage, BuzzFeed, Patrick, Strudwick, 21 September 2016, 26 September 2016,weblink 26 September 2016, The law went into effect on 2 May 2017.WEB,weblink Same Sex Marriage Now Legal, Island FM, 26 April 2017, 26 April 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170426191424weblink">weblink 26 April 2017, WEB,weblink The Same-Sex Marriage (Guernsey) Law, 2016 (Commencement) Ordinance, 2017, Guernsey Legal Resources, 26 April 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170426192919weblink">weblink 26 April 2017, The legislation does not extend to Guernsey's dependencies, Alderney and Sark.
  • Alderney – A bill to allow same-sex marriage was approved by the States of Alderney on 18 October 2017, and received royal assent on 13 December 2017.WEB,weblink List of Business Part 2, 2017-12-14, 2017-12-15,weblink 14 December 2017, dmy-all, The law came into effect on 14 June 2018.WEB,weblink Same-sex marriage legalised in Alderney, 13 June 2018, ITV Channel Television, 13 June 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180613202053weblink">weblink 13 June 2018,
  • Sark – On 17 December 2019, the Chief Pleas approved legislation mirroring the provisions of Guernsey's same-sex marriage law.WEB,weblink Sark becomes last British Isle to allow same-sex marriage, 18 December 2019, BBC,weblink 18 December 2019, 18 December 2019, The bill received royal assent in the Privy Council on 11 March 2020, and came into effect on 23 April 2020.WEB,weblink Orders Approved and Business Transacted at the Privy Council Held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 11th March 2020, 13 March 2020, 13 March 2020,weblink live,
• Jersey – A motion to introduce legislation regarding same-sex marriage was approved by the States Assembly in September 2015.WEB,weblink Jersey States supports same-sex marriage, 22 September 2015, BBC News, 31 March 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160205123504weblink">weblink 5 February 2016, A same-sex marriage bill was eventually debated by the States on 1 February 2018, where it passed by a vote of 42–1.WEB,weblink Equal marriage legislation passed by Jersey politicians, ITV News, 1 February 2018, 1 February 2018, 30 March 2019,weblink live, The law received royal assent on 23 May 2018 and went into effect on 1 July 2018.WEB,weblink Jersey to introduce same-sex marriage from 1 July, BBC News, 27 June 2018, 28 June 2018, 27 March 2019,weblink live,

Overseas Territories

Of the fourteen British Overseas Territories, same-sex marriage is allowed in eight: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

• Akrotiri and Dhekelia – Same-sex marriage has been recognised and performed in the Sovereign Base Areas since 3 June 2014, for UK military personnel only.WEB,weblink Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014, 8 October 2016, 13 October 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181013201434weblink">weblink live, The first same-sex marriage was conducted in Dhekelia on 10 September 2016.WEB,weblink Soldier weds partner to become first same sex couple to marry on a British military base, Mirror, 7 October 2016, 8 June 2020, 8 June 2020,weblink live, Civil partnerships have also been allowed for military personnel since 7 December 2005.WEB,weblink Civil Partnership (Armed Forces) Order 2005, 8 October 2016, 13 October 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181013172804weblink">weblink live,
• Bermuda – On 5 May 2017, the Bermuda Supreme Court issued a ruling in favour of same-sex marriage. The ruling allowed several same-sex couples to marry in Bermuda over the following months.NEWS,weblink Landmark same-sex ruling, 5 May 2017, The Royal Gazette, 5 May 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170509033158weblink">weblink 9 May 2017, However, the Bermuda Parliament passed a law in December 2017 to replace same-sex marriages with domestic partnerships.WEB,weblink Bermuda to ban same-sex marriage months after it was legalised, 14 December 2017, The Guardian, 15 December 2017, 13 May 2019,weblink live, The law went into effect on 1 June 2018. On 6 June 2018, the Supreme Court revoked the parts of the law that banned same-sex marriages, but the decision was stayed pending appeal,WEB,weblink Summary Judgment: Ferguson et al v. Attorney-General, 6 June 2018, Supreme Court of Bermuda, 8 June 2018, 12 June 2018,weblink live, which the government lost on 23 November 2018.NEWS, Farge, Emma,weblink Bermuda top court reverses government's gay marriage ban, U.S., 2018-11-24, en-US, 30 March 2019,weblink live, On 14 March 2022, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council upheld the government's appeal of the ruling, ending the right to same-sex marriage in Bermuda.WEB, 2022-03-14, Bermuda's ban on same-sex marriage is allowed, UK judges rule,weblink 2022-03-14, The Guardian, en, 14 March 2022,weblink live,
• British Antarctic Territory – A same-sex marriage ordinance has been in force since 13 October 2016.WEB,weblink The Marriage Ordinance 2016, 2019-05-20, 20 October 2016,weblink live, WEB,weblink Review of British Antarctic Territory legislation: changes to the marriage and registration ordinances – Publications – GOV.UK, 20 October 2016, 30 March 2019,weblink live,
• British Indian Ocean Territory – A same-sex marriage ordinance has been in force since 3 June 2014.WEB,weblink Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014, 28 April 2014, Legislation.gov.uk, 8 October 2016, 13 October 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181013201434weblink">weblink live, Civil partnerships have also been allowed for military personnel since 7 December 2005.
• Cayman Islands – Same-sex civil partnerships are legal following the enactment of a partnership law by Governor Martyn Roper on 4 September 2020.WEB, 2020-09-04, Civil partnerships now legal in the Cayman Islands – Cayman Islands Headline News,weblink 2020-09-07, Cayman News Service, en-GB, 30 September 2020,weblink live, However, a suit by a same-sex couple seeking access to same-sex marriage was rejected by the Privy Council on 14 March 2022.
• Falkland Islands – On 30 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands approved a bill legalising same-sex marriage by a vote of 7 to 1.WEB,weblink Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands, RECORD OF THE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – HELD AT NORTH ARM (30 MARCH 2017), 38–45, PDF, 28 April 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170428092036weblink">weblink 28 April 2017, It received royal assent on 13 April and went into effect on 29 April 2017.WEB,weblink Marriage Ordinance 1996; Amending Legislation; Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 – [Ord. 6/17], Falkland Islands Legislation, 31 July 2017, 2 August 2017, 2 August 2017,weblink live,
• Gibraltar – On 26 October 2016, the Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 was passed in the Gibraltar Parliament with unanimous support from all 15 members present during the vote. It received royal assent on 1 November and took effect on 15 December 2016.WEB,weblink Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 [No. 22 of 2016, 2019-05-20,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170327202759weblink">weblink 27 March 2017, dead, WEB,weblink Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 – Notice of Commencement, 2019-05-20,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170327203046weblink">weblink 27 March 2017, dead,
• Pitcairn Islands – An ordinance to recognise and perform same-sex marriage was unanimously approved by the Island Council, and signed by Governor Jonathan Sinclair on 5 May 2015. It was published on 13 May 2015 and took effect the next day.WEB,weblink Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnerships Ordinance 2015, Government of the Pitcairn Islands,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160107164402weblink">weblink 7 January 2016, 16 February 2016, NEWS,weblink Pacific's tiny Pitcairn Island legalises same-sex marriage, 25 June 2015, Yahoo! News,weblink 16 February 2016, 16 February 2016, Agence France-Presse, NEWS,weblink Pitcairn Island, population 48, passes law to allow same-sex marriage, 22 June 2015, The Guardian,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20151215204159weblink">weblink 15 December 2015, 16 February 2016, Associated Press,
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – Same-sex marriage is legislated for throughout the territory:
  • Ascension Island – A same-sex marriage ordinance was unanimously approved by all five present members of the Ascension Island Council on 31 May 2016.WEB,weblink Island Council Report – 31 May 2016, Government of Ascension Island, 23 June 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160623193343weblink">weblink 23 June 2016, WEB,weblink MINUTES OF THE ASCENSION ISLAND COUNCIL (AIC), Ascension-island.gov.ac, 2016-11-23, 27 August 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160827135216weblink">weblink dead, It was signed by Governor Lisa Honan and published in the official gazette on 20 June.WEB,weblink Marriage (Ascension) Ordinance, 2016, Ascension-island.gov.ac, 2016-11-23, 14 February 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170214201357weblink">weblink live, On 23 December 2016, Honan issued an order to commence the law on 1 January 2017.WEB,weblink The St. Helena Government Gazette No 111 2016, 2019-05-20, 4 January 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170104162951weblink">weblink live, WEB,weblink Marriage (Ascension) (Commencement) Order, 2016, 2019-05-20, 13 January 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170113171028weblink">weblink live,
  • Tristan da Cunha – An ordinance extending the Ascension Island same-sex marriage law to Tristan da Cunha was issued on 4 August 2017.WEB,weblink Tweet from Governor Lisa Phillips, 4 August 2017, 4 August 2017,weblink live,
  • Saint Helena – The Legislative Council of Saint Helena passed a same-sex marriage bill on 19 December 2017; it was given royal assent the next day.NEWS,weblink Same-sex marriage approved for St Helena: opponent calls for society to embrace the result, 2017-12-19, St Helena Online, 2017-12-20, en-US, 15 May 2019,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20190515163053weblink">weblink live,
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands – Same-sex marriage has been legal in the territory since 2014.WEB,weblink Local laws and customs – South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (British Overseas Territory) travel advice – GOV.UK, www.gov.uk, 20 January 2018, 31 July 2019,weblink live, WEB,weblink Visitors – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, www.gov.gs, 20 January 2018, 6 June 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180606155930weblink">weblink live,
• Same-sex marriage and civil partnerships are also not performed or recognised in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In July 2022, Lord Cashman introduced legislation to the House of Lords to legalise same-sex marriage in the remaining six British Overseas Territories. The bill would "empower the Governor of each Territory to make changes to the law in the Territory to recognize the lawfulness of same-sex marriage and allow for the solemnization of marriage of same-sex couples." It had its first reading in the House of Lords on 6 July.WEB,weblink Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Overseas Territories) Bill [HL], www.bills.parliament.uk, 17 July 2022, WEB,weblink UK legislation could pave way for same-sex marriage in overseas territories, Caribbean National Weekly, 8 July 2022, 17 July 2022, 9 July 2022,weblink live, WEB,weblink UK Parliament to consider bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Overseas Territories, Cayman Compass, 6 July 2022, Conolly, Norma, 17 July 2022, 7 July 2022,weblink live, The Governor of the Cayman Islands, Martyn Roper, said the measure has "little chance of progressing". This is not the first attempt to extend same-sex marriage rights to all British Overseas Territories; in February 2019, a Foreign Affairs Select Committee report recommended extending same-sex marriage laws in all territories with an Order in Council. The Leader of the Opposition of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Washington Misick, accused the British Government of trying to "neutralise the authority" of the Caribbean territories. MP Chris Bryant accused territories of wanting to "have their cake and eat it" by refusing to allow same-sex marriages: "You want to be under the British umbrella, but you do not want to be part of the British way of life."WEB,weblink UK Same Sex Bill sparks contention -'Equality is possible without gay marriage' – Premier, Turks and Caicos Weekly News, 15 July 2022, Handy, Gemma, 17 July 2022, 15 July 2022,weblink live,

See also

• LGBT rights in the United Kingdom
• Same-sex marriage in Scotland
• Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland
• Same-sex marriage in Guernsey
• Same-sex marriage in the Isle of Man
• Same-sex marriage in Jersey
• Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
• He never married

Notes

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References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Further reading

• BOOK, Smart, Carol, Heaphy, Brian, Einarsdottir, Anna, Same sex marriages: new generations, new relationships. Genders and sexualities in the social sciences., Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 2013, 9780230300231,

{{LGBT unions and rights in the territories of the United Kingdom}}{{LGBT topics in the United Kingdom}}{{Same-sex marriage in Europe}}{{Status of same-sex unions}}