Same Sex marriage is legal in England and Wales

The countdown began to the moment when same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales (March 28, 2014), the final stage in the long fight for equality for gay men and lesbians. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that, finally, after years of campaigning, any couple who wants to get married can get married.

Several couples are vying to make history by saying “I do” in the first few minutes, when the historic marriage law passed by parliament last year comes into force.

Many more plan to exchange vows in the hours that follow, including one couple who will perform almost the entire ceremony — barring the legal declaration — in song for a television programme entitled “Our Gay Wedding: The Musical”.

Civil partnerships have been legal since 2005 and marriage brings no new rights — the ability to adopt, for example, was introduced in 2002. But campaigners demanded full equality with heterosexual couples.

Gay marriage was championed by Prime Minister David Cameron’s government, and a rainbow flag will fly over government offices in London all weekend in celebration. Although members of Cameron’s Conservative party and the established Church of England opposed the move, it has support from the majority of the public. The law is the final victory in a long battle stretching back to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England in 1967.

The Church of England had opposed same-sex marriage, insisting weddings should only take place between a man and a woman, and secured an exemption from the new law. The House of Bishops last month also warned clergy they should  not bless married gay couples. But Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans, indicated that the Church would no longer campaign against the issue.

In Brighton, Neil Allard and Andrew Wale hope to be the first gay couple to get married by exchanging vows at one minute past midnight in the picturesque surroundings of the Royal Pavilion. In London, Peter McGraith and David Cabreza are also bidding to make history by marrying at midnight in front of friends and family, including their two adopted sons. The couple have been together for 17 years and hope their wedding will send out a message around the world.

Fifteen countries have legalised gay marriage and another three allow it in some areas, but homosexuals remain persecuted in many parts of the world.