'Same-Sex' marriage set to be law in UK by end of week

[A Disgruntled Scotsman]

Hey! I feel cheated. There's not nearly enough hedonism, anarchy, and godless immorality here in Canada!

Did our shipment get delayed or something? :mad:

 
Yeah; the post office staff are having an orgy in the sorting office.  And there's dubstep too.  Lots of wubwubs! :3

[rocquelaire]

Nope - England and Wales have had civil partnerships for several years (not sure about Scotland), but not marriage.

Scotland has had civil partnership since 2004. The same sex marriage bill was published on 27/06 and is going through the parliamentary process just now. If all goes well it's expected to be put forward for royal assent early in 2014 and the first marriages are expected in 2015.

[Sophia C]

Scotland has had civil partnership since 2004. The same sex marriage bill was published on 27/06 and is going through the parliamentary process just now. If all goes well it's expected to be put forward for royal assent early in 2014 and the first marriages are expected in 2015.

Great to hear!

I heard from someone in Northern Ireland that they don't have high hopes for the Assembly there passing any similar law, sadly.

[Melamphoros]

I heard from someone in Northern Ireland that they don't have high hopes for the Assembly there passing any similar law, sadly.

 
From what I hear about Northern Ireland politics, I'm not that surprised.

[sailor]

Nope - England and Wales have had civil partnerships for several years (not sure about Scotland), but not marriage.

 
And first lawsuit is planned. I presume they are talking CoE rather than any of the other religions in England.

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Gay-dads-set-sue-church-sex-marriage-opt/story-19597954-detail/story.html

[A Disgruntled Scotsman]

And first lawsuit is planned. I presume they are talking CoE rather than any of the other religions in England.

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Gay-dads-set-sue-church-sex-marriage-opt/story-19597954-detail/story.html

Presumably it'd make more sense for him to either:

1) Join a Christian sect that accepts gays as they are e.g. the Quakers,

2) Leave Christianity altogether,

3) Start his own home church or find a local one who are pro-SSM.


Edit: 100th post!  (Personal milestone)

[mandrina]

Presumably it'd make more sense for him to either:

1) Join a Christian sect that accepts gays as they are e.g. the Quakers,

2) Leave Christianity altogether,

3) Start his own home church or find a local one who are pro-SSM.


Edit: 100th post!  (Personal milestone)

 

On the other hand, I can see what he wants.  I'd say, too bad, unless the church gets money from the government because it's the church. I'm not sure if the CoE does, or if they do, how it works.

I suspect in the US, they can sue the church all they want, but they will not win. Unless it's just renting the church, and if the church rents to all comers, then the church has a problem that's of their own making.

[sailor]

On the other hand, I can see what he wants.  I'd say, too bad, unless the church gets money from the government because it's the church. I'm not sure if the CoE does, or if they do, how it works.

I suspect in the US, they can sue the church all they want, but they will not win. Unless it's just renting the church, and if the church rents to all comers, then the church has a problem that's of their own making.

 
The fall out could be really interesting.  It could effectively end the official church for England, which would bounce a couple of people out of Lords.

Or it be ruled that it applies to ALL churches - wonder how that will go over with some groups like the Muslim community.  That would also implicate who gets to be a member of a church, such as CoE.

[Sophia C]

Presumably it'd make more sense for him to either:

1) Join a Christian sect that accepts gays as they are e.g. the Quakers,

2) Leave Christianity altogether,

3) Start his own home church or find a local one who are pro-SSM.


Edit: 100th post!  (Personal milestone)

I know of this couple. Media and publicity, um, seekers. I suspect they're not churchgoers, but are looking for publicity. That said, I believe everyone should be able to get married in an Anglican Church if they want to - every straight couple in the land can. It will be interesting to see what happens here.

[mandrina]

I know of this couple. Media and publicity, um, seekers. I suspect they're not churchgoers, but are looking for publicity. That said, I believe everyone should be able to get married in an Anglican Church if they want to - every straight couple in the land can. It will be interesting to see what happens here.

 
just another thought here.  If the pope said "same-sex marriage is ok and will be performed by priests in any good Catholic church", then theoretically same-sex marriage is in for the Catholic church.  If the queen says the same thing, then isn't the discussion over for the CoE?

[Sophia C]

just another thought here.  If the pope said "same-sex marriage is ok and will be performed by priests in any good Catholic church", then theoretically same-sex marriage is in for the Catholic church.  If the queen says the same thing, then isn't the discussion over for the CoE?

 
No, not really. The queen isn't analogous to the pope. She's a figurehead for the C of E, rather than its leader-in-practice. That's the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The new law explicitly excludes the Church of England (and the Church in Wales) because only canon law - church law - can make changes like allowing same-sex marriages to happen in the C of E. For the same reason, Parliament can't just pass a law saying that female bishops are now allowed in the C of E, even if they'd like to. It has to go through church councils.

[sailor]

just another thought here.  If the pope said "same-sex marriage is ok and will be performed by priests in any good Catholic church", then theoretically same-sex marriage is in for the Catholic church.  If the queen says the same thing, then isn't the discussion over for the CoE?

 
No. The Queen (monarchy) hasn't had that kind of power since at least WWI and in some ways all the way back to the Glorious Revolution.

[sailor]

No, not really. The queen isn't analogous to the pope. She's a figurehead for the C of E, rather than its leader-in-practice. That's the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The new law explicitly excludes the Church of England (and the Church in Wales) because only canon law - church law - can make changes like allowing same-sex marriages to happen in the C of E. For the same reason, Parliament can't just pass a law saying that female bishops are now allowed in the C of E, even if they'd like to. It has to go through church councils.

 
So, presumably if the gay couple win their case it would apply to all religious institutions.

[mandrina]

No, not really. The queen isn't analogous to the pope. She's a figurehead for the C of E, rather than its leader-in-practice. That's the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The new law explicitly excludes the Church of England (and the Church in Wales) because only canon law - church law - can make changes like allowing same-sex marriages to happen in the C of E. For the same reason, Parliament can't just pass a law saying that female bishops are now allowed in the C of E, even if they'd like to. It has to go through church councils.

 
ok, the limits of not knowing much about the CoE relationship with the sovereign other than something about not being able to marry catholics, at least at one time.

[Riothamus12]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gay-marriage-set-to-become-law-as-peers-approve-same-sex-couples-bill-8710078.html

There are now no obstacles to equal marriage in the UK - the final debate is about some amendments. It will be law by the end of the week and the first marriages can happen in 2014.

On a personal note, this means we can get our 'upgrade' to marriage in a year's time!

 
The balance is always restored in the end. To see common humanity more deeply recognized is always welcome news.