Gay weddings next summer

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 has received Royal Assent, with the first weddings expected to take place next summer.

Same-sex couples will be able to hold civil or religious ceremonies, although religious organisations which oppose the legislation are protected from legal action, and the Church of England and Church in Wales are banned from marrying gay couples. Individual ministers of other religions must agree to conduct the ceremony.

Civil partnerships were introduced in 2004, and civil partners will be able to convert to marriage if they wish. The Act also enables married transmen and transwomen to change their legal gender without having to end their marriage.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I have backed this reform because...I don’t want to see people’s love divided by law. In addition to the personal damage that this can cause, it inhibits the potential of a nation.”