Liberal Democrats support gay marriage and humanist marriage
Homosexual couples should be allowed to get married, the Liberal Democrats said today.
Equality minister Lynne Featherstone pledged to bring forward plans “relatively soon”, adding that she was looking at how “how far do you unravel” the 200-year-old marriage laws.
A motion passed by party activists said same-sex and mixed-sex couples should be allowed to choose whether they wish to have a marriage or civil partnership and would allow homosexual couples to marry in church.
Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert acknowledged the motion was controversial, telling the conference in Liverpool: “Of course, there will be opponents.
“When it comes to equality, you and I all know that there are opponents. This motion doesn’t compel religious groups to offer gay marriage or compel gay people to get married. It simply extends an equal choice to one and all.”
The conference called on the Government to open both marriage and civil partnerships to both same-sex and mixed-sex couples.
It would also allow approved religious and humanist groups to celebrate marriage or civil partnerships in “any authorised place”.
Note: The British Humanist Association supports a Humanist Ceremonies network and campaigns for full equality in marriage law including giving legal status to humanist weddings.
