UK's House of Commons approves same-sex marriage
By Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
May 21, 2013 -- Updated 2007 GMT (0407 HKT)
Demonstration for equal rights for gay couples in Trafalgar Square cental
London on March 24, 2013.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* NEW: House of Commons approves same-sex marriage
* PM David Cameron backs the bill, but many in his party oppose it
* Cameron is also under pressure from party members over Britain's role
in Europe
* The Church of England is among religious bodies opposed to same-sex
marriage
London (CNN) -- Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales won
passage Tuesday in the House of Commons.
The vote was 366 for, 161 against. The bill now goes to the House of Lords,
where it will face further opposition.
A rebellion within Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party threatened
to derail the bill.
Tuesday brought the
second day of discussions on the legislation. Members of Parliament
voted Monday on a series of amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex
Couples) Bill.
Cameron backs the bill
but his commitment to it has put him at odds with many in his own party
and its grassroots supporters. The Conservatives govern in coalition
with the Liberal Democrats.
The bill was kept on
track Monday thanks to the support of members of the opposition Labour
Party, who voted to oppose an amendment that many Conservative rebels
backed.
UK MPs approve legal same-sex marriage
The amendment, which was
put forward by MP Tim Loughton, proposed extending civil partnerships to
heterosexual couples as well as same-sex couples.
Uruguay legalizes same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage around the world
Minister for Women and
Equalities Maria Miller, the sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill,
argued that this would result in significant expense and delay, thus
derailing the whole bill.
Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted Monday: "David Cameron's inability to control
his party must
not be allowed to wreck the Equal Marriage Bill. Labour's commitment
unwavering."
A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004.
The Church of England is among the religious bodies opposed to the new
legislation.
The issue of same-sex
marriage has exposed painful divisions within Cameron's party, with many
lawmakers already fractious over his position on Europe.
Under pressure,
Cameron's government last week published a draft bill promising a
referendum by 2017 on Britain's membership of the European Union. The
Conservative Party faces a political threat from the UK Independence
Party, which has vowed to take Britain out of Europe.
Controversy has also
blown up following weekend UK media reports that quoted a senior ally of
Cameron describing party activists as "swivel-eyed loons."
In an effort to dampen
the flames, Cameron sent an e-mail late Monday to party supporters,
according to UK media reports, saying he was proud of their work and
would "never have around me those who sneered" at them.
Same-sex marriage around the world
The issue of same-sex marriage has also prompted wide disagreement elsewhere.
On Saturday, French President Francois Hollande signed into law a bill allowing
marriage and adoption for same-sex couples despite vocal
opposition from many conservatives and the Catholic Church.
The step made France the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage.
If Uruguay and New
Zealand enact legislation approved by their lawmakers as expected, the
count of nations worldwide allowing same-sex marriage will rise to 14.
The first same-sex
couples walked down the aisle in the Netherlands in 2001, with others
following suit in Canada, South Africa, Belgium and Spain. Argentina was the
first Latin American nation to legalize such marriages, in 2010.
Other countries on the list are Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and
Sweden.
Many countries remain
split over the issue. A Brazilian court this week issued a directive
removing a barrier that had limited same-sex marriage, but no bill has
made it through Congress.
In the United States, the question went before the Supreme Court and justices
are deliberating over the matter.
Twelve U.S. states and
the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. On the other
side, many states have specific laws blocking same-sex couples from
legally marrying.
UK lawmakers approve same-sex marriage in first vote
New Zealand's Parliament votes to legalize same-sex marriage
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