Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to make provision for the marriage of same sex couples in England and Wales, about gender change by married persons and civil partners, about consular functions in relation to marriage, for the marriage of armed forces personnel overseas, for permitting marriages according to the usages of belief organisations to be solemnized on the authority of certificates of a superintendent registrar, for the review of civil partnership, for the review of survivor benefits under occupational pension schemes, and for connected purposes.
Citation2013 c. 30
Introduced byMaria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Women and Equalities (Commons)
Baroness Stowell of Beeston, Baroness-in-Waiting (Lords)
Territorial extent Mainly England and Wales, but some sections apply to Northern Ireland and Scotland. (see Section 20(2) and 20(3))
Dates
Royal assent17 July 2013
CommencementBetween 17 July 2013 and 10 December 2014
Other legislation
Amends
Repeals/revokesForeign Marriage Act 1892 (in England, Wales and Scotland)
Amended by
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which introduced same-sex marriage in England and Wales.[1]

Background

The Government's equal marriage promotion

Civil partnerships were introduced in the United Kingdom in 2004, allowing same-sex couples and couples of whom one spouse had changed gender to live in legally-recognised intimate partnerships similar to marriage. It also compelled opposite-sex couples to end their marriage if one or both spouses underwent gender change surgery, or if the couple was not recognised in law as having male and female gender.

Following the 2010 General Election, in September 2011, Liberal Democrat Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone launched a consultation in March 2012 on how to introduce civil marriage for same sex couples in England and Wales.[2] The consultation closed in June 2012 and, in December 2012, the new Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, stated that the Government would be introducing legislation "within the lifetime of this Parliament" and that they were "working towards this happening within this Parliamentary Session".[3] The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced into Parliament on 24 January 2013. The leaders of the three main political parties in the United Kingdom gave their members a free vote in Parliament on the legislation, meaning they would not be whipped to vote for or against it.[4]

The Bill was welcomed by many, including the gay rights campaigning group Stonewall.[5] The organisation Labour Humanists said there was "no credible ethical reason" to oppose gay marriage[6] and Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, told the House of Commons that the proposals "will strengthen, not weaken" the institution of marriage.[7]

The Bill included a "quadruple lock"[8] to safeguard religious organisations from being forced to conduct same sex marriages.

Summary of the Act

Provision(s)EffectStatus
Section 1
  • Makes same-sex marriage legal.
  • Preserves the Canon law of the Church of England which states that marriage is between opposite-sex couples only.
  • States that the common law duty on members of the clergy to solemnise marriages does not extend to same-sex marriages.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 2
  • Provides protections for individuals and religious organisations who choose not to "opt in" to solemnise same-sex marriages from any liability including through amending the Equality Act 2010.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 3
  • Amends the Marriage Act 1949 to update the list of marriages which can be solemnised without the need for any "opt in":
    • religious marriages for opposite-sex couples only in registered buildings;
    • civil marriages for all couples in a register office;
    • civil marriages for all couples in approved premises e.g. a hotel;
    • religious marriages for opposite-sex couples by the Quakers or the Jewish religion;
    • religious marriages for opposite-sex couples, one of whom is house-bound or detained;
    • civil marriages for all couples, one of whom is house-bound or detained;
    • marriages for opposite sex couples in a church or chapel of the Church of England or the Church in Wales.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 4 and Schedule 1.
  • Sets out the procedure by which religious organisations (except for the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Quakers and the Jewish religion) can "opt in" to solemnise same-sex marriages in religious buildings.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 5
  • Sets out the procedure by which the Quakers and the Jewish religion can "opt in" to solemnise same-sex marriages.
  • Sets out the procedure by which religious organisations (except for the Church of England and the Church in Wales) can solemnise same-sex marriages where one or both of the same-sex couple is house-bound or detained.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 6
  • Sets out the procedure by which same-sex marriages may be solemnised in naval, military and air force chapels (except for marriages according to the rites of the Church of England or the Church in Wales).
 Fully in force (since 3 June 2014).
Section 7
  • Amends the Marriage (Registrar General's Licence) Act 1970 so that the Registrar General can authorise a religious marriage ceremony of a same-sex couple if the relevant governing authority has consented to marriages of same-sex couples. The Registrar General is permitted to authorise marriages where one of the couple is seriously ill, is not expected to recover and cannot be moved.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 8
  • Sets out the procedure by which the Church in Wales can "opt in" to solemnise same-sex marriages. The Lord Chancellor would have to be satisfied that the Governing Body of the Church in Wales had resolved that the law should be changed to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples according to the rites of the Church in Wales. He must then make an order permitting the Church in Wales to perform same-sex marriages.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 9
  • Sets out the procedure by which couples in a civil partnership can convert their civil partnership into a marriage.
 Fully in force (since 10 December 2014).
Section 10 and Schedule 2
  • Provides that same-sex marriages entered into outside of the United Kingdom will be recognised as a marriage in England and Wales.
  • Provides that same-sex marriages entered into in England and Wales will be recognised as civil partnerships in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
 Fully in force (since 13 March 2014).
Section 11 and Schedules 3 and 4
  • Provides that, as a general rule, marriage has the same effect in relation to same sex couples as it has in relation to opposite sex couples under English law.
  • Sets out how English law is to be interpreted to ensure that same-sex marriages are treated in the same way as opposite-sex marriages.
  • Sets out certain exceptions to the general rule.

Section 11 and Schedule 3 fully in force (since 13 March 2014). Schedule 4 almost entirely in force (since between 13 March and 10 December 2014) with one exception.

Section 12 and Schedule 5
  • Amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to enable existing marriages registered in England and Wales or outside the United Kingdom to continue where one or both parties change their legal gender and both parties wish to remain married. It also amends the Act to enable a civil partnership to continue where both parties change their gender simultaneously and wish to remain in their civil partnership.
 Fully in force (since 10 December 2014).
Section 13 and Schedule 6
  • Repeals the Foreign Marriage Act 1892 in England, Wales and Scotland.
  • Permits secondary legislation to be made which allows for marriages to take place in overseas consulates.
  • Permits secondary legislation to be made which allows for certificates of no impediment to marriage to be issued where a United Kingdom national wishes to marry overseas according to local laws of that country or territory.
  • Permits secondary legislation to be made which allows for members of the armed forces serving overseas, and accompanying civilians, to marry in the presence of a chaplain or other authorised officer.
 Fully in force (since 3 June 2014).
Section 14
  • Requires the government to arrange for a review of whether secondary legislation should be made which would permit belief-based organisations (such as humanists) to solemnise marriages and for a report on the outcome of the review to be produced and published before 1 January 2015.
 Fully in force (since 31 October 2013).
Section 15
  • Requires the government to arrange for review of the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 in England and Wales to be carried out, and for a report on the outcome of the review to be produced and published.
 Fully in force (since 17 July 2013).
Section 16
  • Requires the government to arrange for review of certain matters relating to occupational pension schemes to be carried out, and for a report on the outcome of the review to be produced and published before 1 July 2014. Following the review, the government may make secondary legislation for the purpose of eliminating or reducing relevant differences in survivor benefits.
 Fully in force (since 17 July 2013).
Section 17 and Schedule 7
  • Makes various transitional and consequential provisions.
  • Allows for secondary legislation which is needed to ensure the effective transition from marriage only being available to opposite-sex couples to being available for all couples.
  • Deals with transitional arrangements in relation to "approved premises", e.g. premises (such as hotels) which have been approved by local authorities as venues for civil marriages and civil partnerships, and provides that any premises in the process of applying to be approved, or already approved as a venue for marriages of opposite sex couples will automatically be approved as a venue for marriages of same sex couples. Any future applications for, and grants of, approval of premises, will be for both same sex and opposite sex civil marriage.
  • Makes amendments to a number of pieces of legislation in consequence of the introduction of same-sex marriage, notably the Marriage Act 1949, the Marriage (Registrar General's Licence) Act 1970, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Public Order Act 1986, the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the Pension Schemes Act 1993, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, and the Equality Act 2010.
 Fully in force (since 17 July 2013) with some exceptions.
Section 18
  • Sets out which of the different procedures by which secondary legislation is made apply to the different powers to make secondary legislation in the Act.
 Fully in force (since 31 October 2013).
Section 19
  • Defines various expressions used in the Act.
 Fully in force (since 31 October 2013).
Section 20
  • Sets out the territorial extent of the Act: England and Wales, with some provisions also applying to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
 Fully in force (since 31 October 2013).
Section 21
  • Sets out the short title of the Act: the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.
  • Brings into force sections 15, 16 and 21 on the date on which the Act comes is passed (17 July 2013) and the rest when the Lord Chancellor or Secretary of State appoints.
 Fully in force (since 17 July 2013).

Parliamentary Passage

House of Commons

First reading

The Bill received its First Reading on 24 January 2013.[9]

Second reading

The Bill received its Second Reading on 5 February 2013,[10] passing by a large majority of 400 to 175.[11]

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Second Reading[12]
PartyVotes forVotes againstBoth (Registered abstentions)Did Not Vote
Conservative
126 (+1 teller)
134 (+2 tellers)
Labour
217
 –
Liberal Democrats –
SNP – – –
DUP – – –
Plaid Cymru – – –
Green – – –
SDLP – –
Alliance – – –
Respect – – –
Independents – –
Total395 (+2 tellers)170 (+2 tellers)574
Map of MPs by their vote and party on the second reading of the Bill, 5 February 2013 (Aye votes are in blue and dark blue).[13]

The SNP did not vote, as the Bill largely applies to England and Wales only.

Committee stage

The Bill was examined by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Committee, a Public Bill Committee established to scrutinise the Bill line-by-line. The committee made no amendments to the Bill and returned it to the House of Commons on 12 March 2013.[14]

Prior to its scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee heard evidence from a number of witnesses. On 12 February 2013, the Committee heard evidence from the Church of England, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the Church in Wales, Lord Pannick QC, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws QC, Stonewall, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, the Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Liberal Judaism, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Out4Marriage, the Coalition for Marriage, and Professor Julian Rivers of the University of Bristol Law School.[15]

On 14 February 2013, the Committee heard evidence from the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers in Britain), the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, Liberty, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Cooperative Group, Schools OUT, the PSHE Association, Jeffrey John, Alice Arnold, Brendan O'Neill, and Mark Jones of Ormerod Solicitors.[15]

Members of the Public Bill Committee included:[16]

Member Party Constituency
Jimmy Hood MP (Chair) Labour Lanark and Hamilton East
Gary Streeter MP (Chair) Conservative South West Devon
Stuart Andrew MP Conservative Pudsey
Ben Bradshaw MP Labour Exeter
Chris Bryant MP Labour Rhondda
David Burrowes MP Conservative Enfield Southgate
Stephen Doughty MP Labour Cardiff South and Penarth
Jane Ellison MP Conservative Battersea
Steve Gilbert MP Liberal Democrat St Austell and Newquay
Helen Grant MP Conservative Maidstone and The Weald
Kate Green MP Labour Stretford and Urmston
Simon Kirby MP Conservative Brighton Kemptown
Kwasi Kwarteng MP Conservative Spelthorne
Tim Loughton MP Conservative East Worthing and Shoreham
Siobhain McDonagh MP Labour Mitcham and Morden
Alison McGovern MP Labour Wirral South
Jonathan Reynolds MP Labour Co-op Stalybridge and Hyde
Hugh Robertson MP Conservative Faversham and Mid Kent
Jim Shannon MP Democratic Unionist Party Strangford
Desmond Swayne MP Conservative New Forest West
Stephen Williams MP Liberal Democrat Bristol West

Report stage

The Bill was examined by the House of Commons as a whole during the Report Stage on 20 and 21 May 2013.[17] During the Report Stage, a number of amendments were made to the Bill:

  • A new clause was inserted which makes clear that chaplains who are employed by a non-religious organisation (such as in a hospital or a university) who refuse to conduct a same sex marriage will not contravene anti-discrimination legislation.
  • Clause 8 was amended to state that if the Governing Body of the Church in Wales makes clear that it wishes to conduct same sex marriages, the Lord Chancellor must make an order allowing it to do so, rather than simply having the power to do so.
  • Following pressure on the government to open up access to civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples, a new clause was inserted which will require there to be a review of the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 in England and Wales as soon as practicable.

Third reading

The Bill received its Third Reading in the House of Commons on 21 May 2013, passing with a majority of 366 to 161.[18]

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Third Reading[19]
PartyVotes forVotes againstBoth (Registered abstentions)Did Not Vote
Conservative
118 (+1 teller)
127 (+2 tellers)
Labour
194
 –
Liberal Democrats –
SNP – – –
DUP – – –
Plaid Cymru – –
Green – – –
SDLP – –
Alliance – – –
Respect – – –
Independents – –
Total359 (+2 tellers)154 (+2 tellers)7120

House of Lords

First reading

The Bill received its First Reading in the House of Lords on 21 May 2013.[20]

Second reading

The Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 3 and 4 June 2013,[21] after a vote of 390 (72%) votes to 148 (28%) rejected a wrecking amendment that would have denied it a second reading.[22][23] The bill was supported (and the amendment rejected) by a majority from nearly every party having representation in the House.[22]

The House of Lords – whose members at the time averaged an age of 69[24] – primarily acts as a reviewing chamber, and the second reading is often in effect about the principles of a bill. The bill was therefore expected to be faced with a difficult hurdle, including strong, vocal opposition. A rarely used "wrecking" motion was tabled by Lord Dear, to effectively reject the bill in full, in place of its second reading. Speakers opposed to the bill described it as a breach of tradition, undemocratic, against religion, and ill thought out.[25] Supporters of the bill included peers who were themselves in long-term same-sex relationships (Lord Alli, Baroness Barker, Lord Black of Brentwood, Lord Smith of Finsbury), and a fourth whose daughter was in a same-sex relationship, as well as heterosexual peers such as Lord Jenkin who had been supportive of gay rights for decades.[24] Nine of the 14 Anglican bishops attending voted for the amendment and five abstained.[26]

The final vote of almost 3–1 against the amendment, and in favour of the bill as it stood, was described by media and other observers as "very remarkable",[24] "crush[ing]"[25] and "overwhelming".[25][27]

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Dear Amendment to reject Second Reading[28]
PartyVotes for
(rejects bill)		Votes against
(supports bill)		Did Not Vote[table 1]
Labour
160
  • Adams of Craigielea, B.
  • Adonis, L.
  • Alli, L.
  • Andrews, B.
  • Armstrong of Hill Top, B.
  • Bakewell, B.
  • Barnett, L.
  • Bassam of Brighton, L.
  • Beecham, L.
  • Berkeley, L.
  • Bhattacharyya, L.
  • Billingham, B.
  • Bilston, L.
  • Blackstone, B.
  • Blood, B.
  • Boateng, L.
  • Borrie, L.
  • Bradley, L.
  • Brooke of Alverthorpe, L.
  • Brookman, L.
  • Browne of Ladyton, L.
  • Campbell-Savours, L.
  • Chandos, V.
  • Christopher, L.
  • Clinton-Davis, L.
  • Collins of Highbury, L.
  • Corston, B.
  • Crawley, B.
  • Darzi of Denham, L.
  • Davidson of Glen Clova, L.
  • Davies of Abersoch, L.
  • Davies of Oldham, L.
  • Davies of Stamford, L.
  • Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, B.
  • Desai, L.
  • Donaghy, B.
  • Drake, B.
  • Drayson, L.
  • Dubs, L.
  • Elder, L.
  • Evans of Parkside, L.
  • Evans of Temple Guiting, L.
  • Evans of Watford, L.
  • Falconer of Thoroton, L.
  • Farrington of Ribbleton, B.
  • Faulkner of Worcester, L.
  • Foster of Bishop Auckland, L.
  • Foulkes of Cumnock, L.
  • Gale, B.
  • Gibson of Market Rasen, B.
  • Giddens, L.
  • Goldsmith, L.
  • Goudie, B.
  • Gould of Potternewton, B.
  • Grantchester, L.
  • Grocott, L.
  • Hanworth, V.
  • Harris of Haringey, L.
  • Harrison, L.
  • Hart of Chilton, L.
  • Haskel, L.
  • Hattersley, L.
  • Haworth, L.
  • Hayter of Kentish Town, B.
  • Healy of Primrose Hill, B.
  • Henig, B.
  • Hilton of Eggardon, B.
  • Hollick, L.
  • Hollis of Heigham, B.
  • Howarth of Newport, L.
  • Howells of St Davids, B.
  • Hoyle, L.
  • Hughes of Stretford, B.
  • Hughes of Woodside, L.
  • Hunt of Chesterton, L.
  • Hunt of Kings Heath, L.
  • Irvine of Lairg, L.
  • Janner of Braunstone, L.
  • Jay of Paddington, B.
  • Joffe, L.
  • Jones, L.
  • Judd, L.
  • Kennedy of Southwark, L.
  • Kennedy of The Shaws, B.
  • King of Bow, B.
  • Kingsmill, B.
  • Kinnock of Holyhead, B.
  • Kinnock, L.
  • Knight of Weymouth, L.
  • Levy, L.
  • Lipsey, L.
  • Lister of Burtersett, B.
  • McConnell of Glenscorrodale, L.
  • McDonagh, B.
  • Macdonald of Tradeston, L.
  • McIntosh of Hudnall, B.
  • MacKenzie of Culkein, L.
  • McKenzie of Luton, L.
  • Mallalieu, B.
  • Mandelson, L.
  • Massey of Darwen, B.
  • Maxton, L.
  • Mitchell, L.
  • Monks, L.
  • Moonie, L.
  • Morgan of Ely, B.
  • Morgan of Huyton, B.
  • Morgan, L.
  • Morris of Handsworth, L.
  • Morris of Yardley, B.
  • Myners, L.
  • Noon, L.
  • Nye, B.
  • O'Neill of Clackmannan, L.
  • Parekh, L.
  • Patel of Bradford, L.
  • Pitkeathley, B.
  • Plant of Highfield, L.
  • Ponsonby of Shulbrede, L.
  • Prescott, L.
  • Prosser, B.
  • Puttnam, L.
  • Radice, L.
  • Ramsay of Cartvale, B.
  • Rea, L.
  • Reid of Cardowan, L.
  • Rendell of Babergh, B.
  • Richard, L.
  • Robertson of Port Ellen, L.
  • Rosser, L.
  • Rowlands, L.
  • Royall of Blaisdon, B.
  • Sawyer, L.
  • Sherlock, B.
  • Smith of Basildon, B.
  • Smith of Leigh, L.
  • Soley, L.
  • Stevenson of Balmacara, L.
  • Stone of Blackheath, L.
  • Symons of Vernham Dean, B.
  • Taylor of Blackburn, L.
  • Taylor of Bolton, B.
  • Thornton, B.
  • Triesman, L.
  • Tunnicliffe, L.
  • Turnberg, L.
  • =Turner of Camden, B.
  • Wall of New Barnet, B.
  • Warner, L.
  • Warwick of Undercliffe, B.
  • Watson of Invergowrie, L.
  • West of Spithead, L.
  • Wheeler, B.
  • Whitaker, B.
  • Wilkins, B.
  • Wills, L.
  • Wood of Anfield, L.
  • Woolmer of Leeds, L.
  • Worthington, B.
  • Young of Norwood Green, L.
 –
Conservative
80
  • Anelay of St Johns, B. [Teller]
  • Ashton of Hyde, L.
  • Astor of Hever, L.
  • Astor, V.
  • Attlee, E.
  • Baker of Dorking, L.
  • Bates, L.
  • Black of Brentwood, L.
  • Bottomley of Nettlestone, B.
  • Brabazon of Tara, L.
  • Bridgeman, V.
  • Brooke of Sutton Mandeville, L.
  • Caithness, E.
  • Chalker of Wallasey, B.
  • Colwyn, L.
  • Cope of Berkeley, L.
  • Courtown, E.
  • Crickhowell, L.
  • De Mauley, L.
  • Deben, L.
  • Deighton, L.
  • Dixon-Smith, L.
  • Dobbs, L.
  • Dundee, E.
  • Faulks, L.
  • Feldman of Elstree, L.
  • Fellowes of West Stafford, L.
  • Fink, L.
  • Fowler, L.
  • Freud, L.
  • Gardiner of Kimble, L.
  • Garel-Jones, L.
  • Glendonbrook, L.
  • Glentoran, L.
  • Gold, L.
  • Goodlad, L.
  • Hamilton of Epsom, L.
  • Hanham, B.
  • Harris of Peckham, L.
  • Henley, L.
  • Heseltine, L.
  • Higgins, L.
  • Hill of Oareford, L.
  • Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, L.
  • Howard of Lympne, L.
  • Howe, E.
  • Hunt of Wirral, L.
  • Jenkin of Kennington, B.
  • Jenkin of Roding, L.
  • Jopling, L.
  • King of Bridgwater, L.
  • Kirkham, L.
  • Lexden, L.
  • Lloyd-Webber, L.
  • Lucas, L.
  • Mayhew of Twysden, L.
  • Morris of Bolton, B.
  • Nash, L.
  • Neville-Jones, B.
  • Newlove, B.
  • Noakes, B.
  • Norton of Louth, L.
  • Perry of Southwark, B.
  • Popat, L.
  • Risby, L.
  • Rotherwick, L.
  • Selborne, E.
  • Shackleton of Belgravia, B.
  • Shephard of Northwold, B.
  • tedman-Scott, B.
  • Stowell of Beeston, B.
  • Taylor of Holbeach, L.
  • Trimble, L.
  • Tugendhat, L.
  • Verma, B.
  • Waldegrave of North Hill, L.
  • Wasserman, L.
  • Wheatcroft, B.
  • Wilcox, B.
  • Younger of Leckie, V.
Crossbenchers
68
  • Aberdare, L.
  • Adebowale, L.
  • Afshar, B.
  • Baldwin of Bewdley, E.
  • Berkeley of Knighton, L.
  • Best, L.
  • Bichard, L.
  • Bilimoria, L.
  • Birt, L.
  • Blair of Boughton, L.
  • Broers, L.
  • Brookeborough, V.
  • Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, L.
  • Browne of Madingley, L.
  • Burns, L.
  • Cameron of Dillington, L.
  • Cameron of Lochbroom, L.
  • Campbell of Surbiton, B.
  • Clancarty, E.
  • Colville of Culross, V.
  • Condon, L.
  • Coussins, B.
  • Craigavon, V.
  • Elystan-Morgan, L.
  • Fellowes, L.
  • Flather, B.
  • Freyberg, L.
  • Greengross, B.
  • Grey-Thompson, B.
  • Hannay of Chiswick, L.
  • Harries of Pentregarth, L.
  • Haskins, L.
  • Hayman, B.
  • Hennessy of Nympsfield, L.
  • Hogg, B.
  • Howarth of Breckland, B.
  • Howe of Idlicote, B.
  • Janvrin, L.
  • Jay of Ewelme, L.
  • Kakkar, L.
  • Kerr of Kinlochard, L.
  • Kidron, B.
  • Krebs, L.
  • Laming, L.
  • Low of Dalston, L.
  • Manningham-Buller, B.
  • Mogg, L.
  • Morgan of Drefelin, B.
  • Moser, L.
  • Murphy, B.
  • Neuberger, B.
  • O'Donnell, L.
  • O'Neill of Bengarve, B.
  • Ouseley, L.
  • Pannick, L.
  • Prashar, B.
  • Richardson of Calow, B.
  • Stern of Brentford, L.
  • Stern, B.
  • Stevenson of Coddenham, L.
  • Trees, L.
  • Walker of Gestingthorpe, L.
  • Warnock, B.
  • Williams of Baglan, L.
  • Wilson of Tillyorn, L.
  • Woolf, L.
  • Wright of Richmond, L.
  • Young of Hornsey, B.
 –
Liberal Democrats
73
  • Addington, L.
  • Allan of Hallam, L.
  • Avebury, L.
  • Barker, B.
  • Benjamin, B.
  • Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury, B.
  • Brinton, B.
  • Burnett, L.
  • Carlile of Berriew, L.
  • Chidgey, L.
  • Clement-Jones, L.
  • Dholakia, L.
  • Doocey, B.
  • Dykes, L.
  • Falkner of Margravine, B.
  • Garden of Frognal, B.
  • German, L.
  • Goodhart, L.
  • Greaves, L.
  • Hamwee, B.
  • Harris of Richmond, B.
  • Hussein-Ece, B.
  • Jolly, B.
  • Jones of Cheltenham, L.
  • Kramer, B.
  • Lee of Trafford, L.
  • Linklater of Butterstone, B.
  • Loomba, L.
  • Macdonald of River Glaven, L.
  • Maclennan of Rogart, L.
  • McNally, L.
  • Maddock, B.
  • Mar and Kellie, E.
  • Marks of Henley-on-Thames, L.
  • Miller of Chilthorne Domer, B.
  • Newby, L. [Teller]
  • Northover, B.
  • Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, L.
  • Palmer of Childs Hill, L.
  • Parminter, B.
  • Phillips of Sudbury, L.
  • Randerson, B.
  • Razzall, L.
  • Redesdale, L.
  • Roberts of Llandudno, L.
  • Rodgers of Quarry Bank, L.
  • Roper, L.
  • Scott of Needham Market, B.
  • Sharkey, L.
  • Sharp of Guildford, B.
  • Shipley, L.
  • Shutt of Greetland, L.
  • Smith of Clifton, L.
  • Steel of Aikwood, L.
  • Stephen, L.
  • Stoneham of Droxford, L.
  • Storey, L.
  • Strasburger, L.
  • Taverne, L.
  • Taylor of Goss Moor, L.
  • Teverson, L.
  • Thomas of Winchester, B.
  • Tope, L.
  • Tordoff, L.
  • Tyler of Enfield, B.
  • Tyler, L.
  • Vallance of Tummel, L.
  • Wallace of Saltaire, L.
  • Wallace of Tankerness, L.
  • Walmsley, B.
  • Watson of Richmond, L.
  • Williams of Crosby, B.
  • Willis of Knaresborough, L.
 –
Bishops –
Non-affiliated
3
  • Kalms, L.
  • Maginnis of Drumglass, L.
  • Taylor of Warwick, L.
4
  • Cunningham of Felling, L.
  • Smith of Finsbury, L.
  • Uddin, B.
  • Young of Old Scone, B.
 –
DUP – –
Ulster Unionist – –
UKIP – –
Plaid Cymru –
2
  • Elis-Thomas, L.
  • Wigley, L.
 –
Independent Labour – –
Independent Liberal Democrat –
2
  • Rooker, L.
  • Tonge, B.
 –
Total14839078
  1. ↑ Note: this figure does not include peers that are deceased, have been granted a leave of absence or have been disqualified.

Committee stage

The Bill underwent its Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 17, 19 and 24 June 2013.[29] A number of government amendments to the Bill were agreed during the Committee Stage:

  • Clause 5 was amended to detail the relevant governing authorities for giving consent to same-sex marriages according to the rights and usages of the Jewish religion;
  • Schedule 7 would now also amend the Marriage Act 1949 to make clear that a same-sex marriage carried out by the Church of England, or by a religious organisation that had not opted in to solemnising same sex marriages would be void;
  • Schedule 7 would now also amend the Public Order Act 1986. Part 3A of the 1986 Act prohibits stirring up hatred against people based on their sexual orientation. Part 3A would be amended to make clear that any discussion or criticism of marriage which concerns the sex of the parties to marriage shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.

Report stage

The Bill underwent its Report Stage in the House of Lords on 8 and 10 July 2013.[29] A number of government amendments to the Bill were agreed during the Report Stage:

  • Clause 2 was amended to define more specifically what is meant by the term "compelled";
  • Schedule 5 was amended to provide for a new fast-track procedure for granting applications for gender recognition for those in protected marriages who transitioned over six years ago;
  • A new clause was inserted which would allow the government to make secondary legislation permitting belief-based organisations (such as humanists) to solemnise marriages, following a public consultation.

Third reading

The Bill had its Third Reading on 15 July 2013, and was passed by a simple voice vote.[29]

The amended Bill returned to the House of Commons for approval of the amendments on 16 July 2013, which the House approved on the same day.

Royal Assent

On 17 July 2013, the Bill was granted Royal Assent by Queen Elizabeth II, thereby becoming the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.[30]

Commencement

17 July 2013: Royal Assent

Sections 15, 16 and 21 came into force on the day the Act received Royal Assent, 17 July 2013. The remaining, substantive provisions of the Act were brought into force by statutory instruments made by the Secretary of State.

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31 October 2013: Power to Make Subordinate Legislation

Date for introduction of same sex marriage in England and Wales

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2013 brought into force various provisions of the Act on 31 October 2013:

  • Section 4 and schedule 1 but only to the extent that these provisions conferred or related to the power to make subordinate legislation. Section 4 and schedule 1 allow religious organisations to perform same sex marriages if they opt in to do so. Subordinate legislation was required to provide details on the application procedure for religious buildings to register to conduct same-sex marriages;
  • Paragraphs 5, 8 and 14 of schedule 4 but only to the extent that these provisions conferred or related to the power to make subordinate legislation. Paragraphs 5 and 8 amended the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 to set out the jurisdiction of courts in proceedings for orders relating to the ending of a marriage (divorce, judicial separation, nullity of marriage or because one of the couple is dead) and orders relating to declarations of validity of the marriage. Subordinate legislation was required to set out the jurisdiction of the courts to deal with divorce, judicial separation and nullity cases and about the recognition of such orders for a married same-sex couple where one of the couple is or has been habitually resident in a member state of the European Union (EU), or is an EU national, or is domiciled in a part of the UK or the Republic of Ireland. The subordinate legislation brought the jurisdiction in line with that contained within EU law which applies to opposite-sex couples. Paragraph 14 amended the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 so that subordinate legislation could be made to provide a particular retirement benefit - the graduated retirement benefit - is available to surviving spouses in same-sex marriages in the same way it is available to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners;
  • Section 14;
  • Sections 17(1) to (3);
  • Sections 18, 19 and 20;
  • Paragraphs 1 and 2(2) of schedule 2. Paragraphs 1 and 2(2) allow for subordinate legislation to be made which provides that same-sex marriages conducted in England and Wales are to be recognised in Scotland (until same-sex marriage is permitted in Scotland) and Northern Ireland as civil partners; and
  • Paragraphs 27(3) and (4) of schedule 4. Paragraphs 27(3) and (4) allow for subordinate legislation to be made which contains exceptions to the equivalence in law between opposite-sex marriages and same-sex marriages.

21 January 2014: Power to Make Subordinate Legislation

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) Order 2014 brought into force a number of provisions for the purposes of making secondary legislation on 21 January 2014:

  • Section 6 (marriages in naval, military and air force chapels); and
  • Schedule 6 (marriages overseas).

13 March 2014: Same-Sex Marriage

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) Order 2014 brought into force the vast majority of the provisions which allowed same-sex couples to marry on 13 March 2014. As the law requires couples to wait at least 16 days after giving notice to the local register office before a marriage ceremony can take place, the first marriages took place on 29 March 2014. An exception was where the Registrar General has waived the notice period because one member of the couple was seriously ill and not expected to recover. Such marriages could take place at any time after 13 March 2014.[31] Same-sex couples who married abroad under foreign law and who were previously treated as civil partners were recognised as married as of 13 March 2014.[32][33] The provisions which came into force on 13 March 2014 were:

  • Sections 1 to 5;
  • Sections 7 and 8;
  • Sections 10(1) and (2);
  • Section 11;
  • The remainder of Schedule 1;
  • The remainder of Schedule 2;
  • Schedule 3;
  • Schedule 4 (with some minor exceptions); and
  • Schedule 7 (with some minor exceptions).

29 March 2014: Marriage Ceremonies

The first same-sex marriages took place on 29 March 2014.[34]

3 June 2014: Marriage in British Consulates in Armed Forces Bases Overseas and in Military Chapels

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) Order 2014 brought into force a number of provisions on 3 June 2014 which allow same-sex couples to marry in certain British consulates in armed forces bases overseas, and potentially allow for same-sex marriages in military chapels.[32] The provisions which came into force on 3 June 2014 were:

  • The remainder of section 6;
  • Section 13;
  • The remainder of schedule 6; and
  • Minor provisions within schedule 7.

10 December 2014: Conversion of Civil Partnerships and Marriage of Transgender Persons

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2014 brought into force all remaining provisions of the Act on 10 December 2014, those including the provisions which allow for couples in a civil partnership to convert their civil partnership into a marriage (section 9) and for individuals in a marriage or a civil partnership to change their gender without first needing to divorce or dissolve the civil partnership (section 12 and schedule 5).

UK Crown Dependencies and Territories

Same-sex marriage is legal within Bermuda (subject to appeal), Cayman Islands (subject to appeal), Isle of Man, Indian Ocean Territory, British Antarctic Territory, Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Military personnel only), Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Gibraltar, Channel Islands, Pitcairn Islands and the Falkland Islands.

Aftermath

In 2013 it was reported that the Conservative Party lost an estimated 35-40% of its membership due to the Same Sex Marriage Bill.[35][36]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill". House of Commons. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "Lynne Featherstone MP announces government consultation on equal marriage". lynnefeatherstone.org. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "Equal marriage: The Government's response". HM Government. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Lib Dem MP Gordon Birtwistle: 'Gay marriage is just not on'". pinknews.co.uk. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "Help Stonewall push for Marriage Equality". Stonewall (charity). 6 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Backing equal marriage". Labour Humanists. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  7. ↑ Miller, Maria (11 December 2012). "Parliamentary statement on equal civil marriage". Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (11 December 2012). "Gay marriage plans offer 'quadruple lock' for opposed religious groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 January 2013". Houses of Parliament. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Bill stages — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13". Houses of Parliament. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "Gay marriage: Legislation passes first Commons hurdle". BBC News. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  12. ↑ "MP-by-MP: Gay marriage vote". BBC News. 5 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — 5 Feb 2013 at 18:52". Divisions – 2010–present, Westminster. Public Whip. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  14. ↑ Westminster, Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons. "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 05 Feb 2013 (pt 0004)". publications.parliament.uk.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. 1 2 "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill" (PDF). house of Commons. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  16. ↑ "House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13". Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  17. ↑ "Parliamentary business for the week beginning Monday 20 May 2013". parliament.uk. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  18. ↑ "Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan". BBC. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "The Public Whip — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — Third Reading - 21 May 2013 at 18:59". publicwhip.org.uk.
  20. ↑ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill". House of Lords. 21 May 2013. p. 834. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  21. ↑ "Forthcoming Business" (PDF). Government Whips' Office, House of Lords. 22 May 2013. pp. 2, 5, 6. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  22. 1 2 Lords Divisions results, 4 June 2013, Division 1, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – official tally from http://www.parliament.uk
  23. ↑ "Gay marriage bill: Peers back government plans". BBC News Online. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 Lyall, Sarah (4 June 2013). "Hidebound Chamber Lets Down Its Hair in Gay-Marriage Debate". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 Simons, Ned (4 June 2013). "Gay Marriage: Lords Overwhelmingly Approve Bill, Crush Opposition". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  26. ↑ Davies, Madeleine. "Bishops divided as gay-marriage Bill passes in Lords". Church Times. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  27. ↑ Dominiczak, Peter; Winnett, Robert; Bingham, John (4 June 2013). "Lords give overwhelming backing to gay marriage". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Lords Divisions results, 4 June 2013, Division 1, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill".
  29. 1 2 3 "Bill stages — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14". UK Parliament. 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  30. ↑ "Same-sex marriage set to enter law later this week". BBC News. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act: A factsheet" (PDF). Government Equalities Office. January 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  32. 1 2 "First Same Sex weddings to happen from 29 March 2014 (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)". Government of the United Kingdom. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  33. ↑ "Civil partnerships can be converted to marriages from December". The Guardian. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  34. ↑ "Same-sex weddings to begin in March". BBC News. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  35. ↑ "Statement on average age and analysis of Conservative Party Membership (2019) | The Bow Group". Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. "Statement on average age and analysis of Conservative Party Membership (2019) | the Bow Group". Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  36. ↑ Brownsell, James (20 July 2019). "Who are Britain's Conservatives?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
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