Same Sex Marriage

If the majority of MP's support same sex marriage today, our country will have become an even fairer place to live in regards to equality of sexual orientation.  And how apt if this should happen during LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Gender) History Month.

In a relatively short time, we have achieved huge progress towards equality for gay and lesbian people.  The last Labour Government introduced civil partnerships, which I am immensely proud of, the age of consent was equalised, we made laws to protect LGBT people from being denied goods and services, scrapped the ban against serving in the forces and increased sentences for hate crimes to name a few changes that made our society fairer.  I am in no doubt these changes have underpinned where we are today, on the cusp of making same sex marriage law.

When Labour brought in civil partnerships, at that time I believed they addressed the appalling inequality that existed for same sex couples, where lifeIong partners had no legal status.  Nine years on, I can see how wrong it would be to deny people who wish to be married the right to do so based on their sexuality.

I am sorry that some religious groups at this stage do not feel they could offer same sex marriages, but I am optimistic about progress, although recognise it will take longer.  I commend the Quakers, Unitarians and Reform Judaism who will offer same sex marriages if the Bill becomes law.  Interestingly in the original Bill, the government proposed that all religious organisations would be banned from conducting same sex marriages, thanks to lobbying from Labour, churches now have a choice.

I speak to people who disagree with marriage changing, however, I feel very strongly that as our society changes we must have a response that is fit for purpose and as fair for all as possible.  In this case it is possible to go further and I hope Members of Parliament will support the Bill, which is supported by the majority of people.