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Cheers, England, Wales toast equal marriage

candy — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 17:15:48 +0000

Sue Wilkinson and Celia Kitzinger were among the first to have their marriage legally recognized in England after
previously marrying overseas.

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

Same-sex couples across England and Wales were celebrating at the stroke of midnight Friday as gay marriage became legal.

British Prime Minister, David Cameron, said the reform was necessary because “when people’s love is divided by law, it is that law that needs to change,” adding that the change sent a “powerful message” about equality in Britain.

While many rushed to secure the title as first couple to wed after the law took effect on March 29, others saw their previously performed overseas marriages become legally binding earlier in the month when the new law enabled couples to register their intent to marry under the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act.

Among those who saw their overseas marriages legalized on March 13 were Sue Wilkinson, 60, and Celia Kitzinger, 57, who were married in Canada in 2003 and fought for eight years to have their union recognized at home.

In celebration, the couple cracked open champagne and put on the wedding rings they had not worn in England since losing their high court battle for recognition eight years ago.

“At midnight (on March 13) we were just by ourselves at a secret romantic hideaway deep in the country, and we actually opened the window of our room and we heard the bells of the local church ringing midnight,” said Wilkinson. “And when the church clock went ‘bong’ we put on our rings and opened a bottle of champagne. It was just magical, special, lovely.”

The post Cheers, England, Wales toast equal marriage first appeared on Lesbian.com.

England and Wales get ready to wed

Sidney — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 17:00:13 +0000

BY CATHERINE MOPETH
dot429

The British government announced on Tuesday, December 10 that the first same-sex marriages in England and Wales will take place on March 29, 2014. When the bill was first passed, ceremonies were planned to begin early next summer. Instead, couples hoping to be married as soon as possible are to give formal notice by March 13, several months earlier than expected.

According to Pink News, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stated, “This is the news many couples have been waiting for. After a long and important battle, this is a wonderful step forward for equality. Love is the same, gay or straight, so it’s only right that the civil institution should be the same. Next March will be a real moment for celebration as same-sex couples finally get the chance to express their love through marriage.”

Marriage equality makes big progress in England and Wales

Sidney — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:00:24 +0000

Queen Elizabeth II of England (Via Royal.Gov.Uk)

BY SARAH TOCE
TheSeattleLesbian.com

Britain’s House of Lords approved freedom to marry legislation Monday, paving the way for same-sex couples to marry next year in England and Wales after final approval in the House of Commons, which is all but assured, and approval from the queen. A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004.

“After a rich and extensive months-long debate in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Britain’s parliament passed a historic freedom to marry bill, introduced by a conservative prime minister and drawing support from across the spectrum,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry.

“The bill’s progress through Parliament shows that, at last, the majority of politicians in both Houses understand the public’s support for equality — though it’s also reminded us that gay people still have powerful opponents,” added Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill.

London, UK named top LGBTQ travel destinations

Sidney — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:00:40 +0000

London, England (Photo: Alamy)

BY DOT429

London is the top destination for LGBT people in Europe and the UK is the top travel destination for American and British people, according to a marketing company. Some 71 percent of people said they wanted to visit Britain, Out Now and partner, luxury gay travel company, Les Deux Messieurs, reported.

Gay and lesbian travel is becoming a major industry, especially as the LGBT community continues to use their earnings to travel globally.

Church of England allows partnered gay bishops

candy — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:17:18 +0000

BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS
Washington Blade

The Church of England on Friday announced that clergy in same-sex civil partnerships can become bishops as long as they remain celibate.

“The House has confirmed that clergy in civil partnerships and living in accordance with the teaching of the church on human sexuality can be considered as candidates for the episcopate,” Rt. Rev. Graham James said on Friday on behalf of the House of Bishops of the Church of England. “The House believed it would be unjust to exclude from consideration for the episcopate anyone seeking to live fully in conformity with the church’s teaching on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline. All candidates for the episcopate undergo a searching examination of personal and family circumstances, given the level of public scrutiny associated with being a bishop in the Church of England. But these, along with the candidate’s suitability for any particular role for which he is being considered, are for those responsible for the selection process to consider in each case.”

The House of Bishops said in 2005 before a law that allowed same-sex couples to register as civil partners in the United Kingdom took effect that gay celibate men could become clergy. The body voted to extend the policy to bishops last month during a meeting outside London.

London Mayor joins Out4Marriage campaign

candy — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 11:34:01 +0000

London Mayor Boris Johnson

BY MALISSA ROGERS
dot429

London Mayor Borris Johnson has revealed his support for same-sex marriage and equal rights in a new video launched earlier this week as part of the Out4Marriage campaign.

“I see absolutely no reason why that happy state should be denied to anybody in our country and that’s why I’m supporting the Out4Marriage campaign,” Johnson said in his video.