Same-Sex Marriage: UK, France
- February 6th, 2013
- Posted by EUEditor
The vote in Britain’s House of Commons, 5.2.13, 400-175, supporting the right of same-sex couples to marry, was the first step in a legislative process that must include a debate in the unelected House of Lords.
Supporters of the change may yet find themselves tied up in procedural or legal knots, before any are able to actually tie the knot, but it is a democracy and the numbers are speaking very loudly.
Australian gay rights organisations say the outcome is set to trigger a movement to obtain British marriages, with same-sex couples getting on the plane to London, or applying to British consular offices to let them wed on premises.
In France, the parliament there passed its own right-to-marry law last week, once more hotly contested; while President Francois Hollande was on his mission to Mali, in Africa. See EUAustralia Online, “Weekend of assurances:, 3.2.13; “Season for Winter protestsâ€, 14.1.13.
Reference
Le Monde, Paris, “Les députés britanniques se prononcent en faveur du mariage homosexualâ€, (British MPs vote for homosexual marriage), 5.2.13. http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2013/02/05/les-deputes-britanniques-se-prononcent-en-faveur-du-mariage-homosexuel_1827607_3214.html, (6.2.13).
Oliver Wright, “MPs vote for gay marriage bill by 400 to 175 in face of widespread Tory rebellion†, The Independent, London, 5.2.13.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-vote-for-gay-marriage-bill-by-400-to-175-in-face-of-widespread-tory-rebellion-8482318.html, (6.2.13).
Pictures  vibewire.org, theconversation.edu.au