A celebration gathering will still go ahead / File Photo Anti-gay campaigners have cancelled a planned rally against equal marriage legislation in England and Wales, saying there is no point, as it heads for a major milestone overnight. Christian Concern was planning the prayer rally overnight New Zealand time, as the House of Lords holds its final vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. “We’re sorry to inform you that after much consideration we have decided to cancel the prayer gathering we had organized for Monday (15th July), as it now appears there will not be a vote at the third reading of the same sex marriage bill on Monday and what happens on that day in the House of Lords will be a mere formality,” it says in a statement. A pro-equality rally and celebration will still be held, where campaigners will be joined by the London Gay Men’s Chorus, and the London Big Gay Band for entertainment. PinkNews has published a rundown of what is likely to happen from here: On Monday, the House of Lords will start at around 15:30 (2.30AM New Zealand time), and the vote is expected that evening. If passed in its Third Reading, the bill will be different to that which passed in the House of Commons, so will return there to for approval on Thursday. If the House of Commons makes changes, the bill returns to the House of Lords, and can go back and forth until both are agreed. This process is known as parliamentary ping pong, and is scheduled for 16 and 17 July, when Parliament goes into recess. If the process is not agreed by then, the bill cannot be debated again until late into 2013. Once eventually passed in both Houses, the bill will be given Royal Assent, before coming law. PinkNews has been told that the Government will do everything it can to ensure that this will happen before the summer recess. Scotland is progressing its own marriage equality legislation.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 15th July 2013 - 2:54pm