CANTERBURY, England — England and Wales became the 16th and 17th countries in the world to recognize gay “marriage” after Queen Elizabeth II gave “royal assent” to a same-sex “marriage” bill.
Under the new law, gay men and women will be able to join together in civil ceremonies or in church services — although no religious denomination will be forced to carry out such services.
Cheers, laughter and clapping broke out in the House of Commons when Speaker John Bercow announced the bill had been approved. The bill’s passage saw many angry exchanges. It had the full support of Prime Minister David Cameron, despite the consternation of many in his own Conservative Party. The leaders of two other main parties, the Liberal Democrats and New Labour, also backed it. But some political commentators predict Cameron’s gay-friendly attitudes will cost him at the next election in 2015. (TAB)
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