The UK has become the 16th country to legalise same-sex marriage, although the law will only apply to England & Wales. The bill passed its final democratic hurdle on Tuesday when the House of Commons agreed to some minor amendments that were made in the House of Lords. It was given Royal Assent yesterday by the Queen and will go into affect in mid-2014. The bill represents the massive progress made by gay rights in the UK in the last 10 or so years. In 2000 the armed forces removed the ban on LGBT persons serving openly in the military, in 2001 the age of consent was equalised with straight sex (16). In 2005 transgender people were legally allowed to change their gender, gay adoption rights were equalised and civil unions legalised. In 2010 all discrimination protections were extended to LGBT people. This progress already made is the reason why the ILGA rated the UK as the best place to be gay in Europe, with a 77% progress score. This will likely rise in 2014 with the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
In an international context it should be noted that England & Wales has become the 18th jurisdiction to legalise same-sex marriage in 2013. It should be noted that 41 jurisdictions had legalised same-sex marriage prior to 2013. Same-sex marriage is truly becoming an avalanche with Soctland, Nepal and Luxembourg all working on same-sex marriage bills as well as Illinois, Nevada, Hawaii and Pennsylvania. There are also numerous governments worldwide claiming support for same-sex marriage rights.
In an international context it should be noted that England & Wales has become the 18th jurisdiction to legalise same-sex marriage in 2013. It should be noted that 41 jurisdictions had legalised same-sex marriage prior to 2013. Same-sex marriage is truly becoming an avalanche with Soctland, Nepal and Luxembourg all working on same-sex marriage bills as well as Illinois, Nevada, Hawaii and Pennsylvania. There are also numerous governments worldwide claiming support for same-sex marriage rights.
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