Equal marriage ‘tantalisingly close’
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill has passed its Third Reading at the House of Lords
The House of Lords has passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at Third Reading, sending it back to the House of Commons for final agreement. Some peers wore pink carnations to mark the occasion. Quakers greeted the House’s overwhelming support for the Bill with joy. Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain said, ‘This brings us tantalisingly close to legal recognition for same sex marriages in our Quaker Meetings.’
MPs reviewed the Bill on Tuesday, 16 July, and Royal Assent could follow shortly. The new law applies in England and Wales; legislation follows in Scotland.
Four years ago Quakers agreed to seek a change in the law so that same sex and opposite sex couples could both marry in Quaker Meetings.
Welcoming the historic moment, Paul Parker said: ‘We relish the freedom to express our faith by treating all our committed couples in the same way. This is because of our deeply held belief that we see the light of God in everyone, which leads us to respect the inherent worth of each individual and each loving relationship.’
Quakers have supported moves towards equal marriage, along with Unitarians and Free Christians, and Liberal and Reformed Judaism.
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