UK govt allows same sex weddings from March

The David Cameron government today announced that following the passage of relevant legislation through parliament, the first same sex weddings will be able to take place in the country from 29 March 2014.

The David Cameron government today announced that following the passage of relevant legislation through parliament, the first same sex weddings will be able to take place in the country from 29 March 2014.

As the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 had completed its journey through parliament, Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller said: “Marriage is one of our most important institutions, and from 29 March 2014 it will be open to everyone, irrespective of whether they fall in love with someone of the same sex or opposite sex”.

She added: “This is just another step in the evolution of marriage and I know that many couples up and down the country will be hugely excited that they can now plan for their big day and demonstrate their love and commitment to each other by getting married”.

Campaign groups in Britain had lobbied for same sex weddings for several years.

Same sex couples who married abroad under foreign law and are currently treated as civil partners will instead be recognised as being married in England and Wales in March 2014, official sources said.

Same sex weddings in some British consulates and armed forces bases overseas will be possible, and arrangements for same sex weddings in military chapels will be in place, from June 2014, the sources added.