Equal marriage supporters at a Stonewall rally outside the House of Lords (Photo: SIMON CALLAGHAN) The House of Commons has decided not to oppose tweaks to England and Wales’ marriage equality law, meaning the first same-sex weddings will take place next year. The legislation is now expected to receive official assent from head of state Queen Elizabeth II later this week after MPs agreed to changes, such as ensuring protections for transgender couples. A spokesman for the culture ministry, which is overseeing the new law, says the bill will probably receive royal assent on Wednesday or Thursday. "But we are looking at seeing the first gay weddings in the middle of 2014 because there are various issues to sort out, such as its impact on pensions," he said. Scotland and Northern Ireland are working on passing their own laws. Round up: France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage in May, joining The Netherlands, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, Denmark, Uruguay, Belgium, and New Zealand. Gay couples can marry in 13 US states, as well as in the capital Washington DC, while parts of Mexico also allow same-sex marriage.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 17th July 2013 - 10:03am