Foreign Office confirms David Cameron will raise Russian anti-gay laws with Putin at G20

G-20 Leaders 2013 (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

Joseph Patrick McCormick | PinkNews.co.uk | September 3, 2013

Prime Minster David Cameron is to raise concerns over Russia’s anti-gay laws introduced in June, when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at this week’s G20 meeting in St Petersburg.

The Foreign Office has confirmed that Mr Cameron will raise the legislation, which bans the promotion of “non-traditional relationships”, when he travels to St Petersburg this week.

Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, openly gay MP Stephen Gilbert voiced concerns on the issue to the Foreign Secretary, asking: “What representations has he had on this issue and will he raise the issue with the Russian President at the G20 summit?”

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By end of the week, UK will legalize gay marriage

John Aravosis | America Blog | July 15, 2013

Gay marriage legislation passed the British House of Lords today, after having previously passed the House of Commons, which means.

According to the BBC, that means the law should be passed by the end of this week (after another technical vote in the House of Commons), leaving only the Queen’s assent.

Gay weddings are expected to start in 2014.

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Gay Marriage: Lords Overwhelmingly Approve Bill, Crush Opposition

Ned Simons | Huffington Post | June 4, 2013

The House of Lords has crushed an attempt to kill off the gay marriage Bill by 390 votes to 148 – a majority of 242 in favour of same-sex weddings.

In total more than 90 peers spoke during the marathon two-day debate, with those opposed warning gay marriage would lead to polygamy, incest and even the decline in heterosexual weddings.

Tory Lord Eden, the nephew of former prime minister Anthony Eden, said the Bill had been “bounced” on peers.

“It has sent shockwaves throughout the country, it is damaging, divisive and destructive,” he said.

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Trans people angry at being losers in gay marriage bill

Jane Fae | Gay Star News | May 23, 2013

Trans activists were left ‘despairing and angry’ at England and Wales’ equal marriage bill saying they have been betrayed by the British government and LGBT allies.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill passed its third reading in Britain’s House of Commons last night with Members of Parliament voting 366 to 161 in favor of the legislation on Tuesday (21 May).

The bill now has to pass through the House of Lords where it will face opposition but the government appears determined to ensure it passes.

Trans activists say government proposals went a little way to fix what were widely seen as anomalies in the treatment of trans individuals when it came to marriage.

But plans were rejected to compensate trans people for ‘stolen marriages’, where a husband and wife in a loving relationship are forced to divorce when one transitions.

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MPs pass same-sex marriage bill in final third reading

Scott Roberts | Pink News | May 21, 2013

MPs have voted 366 – 161 overwhelmingly in favour of passing the Marriage (Same Sex Couples Bill) – in its third reading in the House of Commons – giving it a majority of 205.

Shortly before the vote took place, Culture Secretary and Minister for Equalities, Maria Miller told MPs:

“I accept that for some colleagues their beliefs mean that the principle of this issue is an insurmountable barrier to supporting this change.

“But to other colleagues I say, now is the time.

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Plan Would Allow England’s Westminster Chapel To Host Gay Weddings

On Top Magazne | March 17, 2013

A chapel located beneath the Palace of Westminster is being considered as a venue for gay weddings.

A bill which seeks to make England the twelfth nation to legalize gay marriage received an initial nod from the House of Commons in February.

Under the proposed marriage reform, churches will be allowed to marry gay and lesbian couples.  However, the Church of England is to be exempt from the new law.

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Priests to bless gay marriages ‘under the radar’

Joe Morgan | Gay Star News | Feburary 7, 2013

Church of England priests will bless same-sex marriages ‘under the radar’, campaigners are saying.

There is a ban on the church and all its clergy hosting ceremonies for gay couples in its form, but some say ministers will get around this by performing blessing ceremonies under a different name.

The announcement comes after the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly for marriage equality after its second reading 400 votes to 175.

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Time for the silent majority to be heard

Graeme Orr | The Age | Feburary 7, 2013

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The British  House of Commons has approved gay marriage.  The NSW Parliament  will debate a bill embracing it.   It is a reform issue which the national and  Tasmanian parliaments recently squibbed.  To be fair, unlike their predecessors  and most states, at least they debated the issue.

For some years,  and across  polls, a clear majority of us welcome gay  equality.  Why then are parliaments here not queuing to recognise it?

Similarly, why is abortion  still formally a serious criminal offence, when even stronger majorities have  long accepted a woman’s right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy?

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British House Of Commons Gives Initial Nod To Gay Marriage Bill

Carlos Santoscoy | On Top Magazine | Feburary 5, 2013

A bill which seeks to legalize gay marriage in Britain and Wales received an initial nod from the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The bill was approved with a 400 to 175 vote.

More than 70 members of parliament participated in the debate which lasted more than 6 hours.

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First British Vote On Gay Marriage Set For Next Month

On Top Magazine | January 24, 2013

A proposal to legalize gay marriage in England and Wales will face its first vote in Parliament next month.

The measure was introduced Thursday by MP Maria Miller in the lower chamber, the House of Commons, where it was given its first reading, a simple formality without debate.

Debate on the bill in the Commons will take place during a second reading on February 5, the BBC reported.

The Commons consists of 650 members known as Members of Parliament (MP).  According to research by the Coalition for Equal Marriage, a majority of MPs (330) have publicly declared their support for the marriage reform.  A December poll conducted for the Guardian showed a majority (62%) of Britons favor legalizing marriage equality.

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