LGBT Labour yesterday welcomes the Government’s announcement of the date for the first same sex marriage in England and Wales.
LGBT Labour yesterday welcomes the Government’s announcement of the date for the first same sex marriage in England and Wales.
The measure will allow same sex couples to become married in a registry or approved religious premises from 29 March 2014. Those couples wishing to be among the first to marry will need to formally give notice of their intention to marry on 13 March 2014.
LGBT Labour has however urged the Government to speed up their plans on civil partnerships and reforming marriage law for the Trans community.
Tom Burke, LGBT Labour Co-Chair comments:
“The Labour Party overwhelmingly voted for the Same Sex (Marriage) Act. We welcome yesterday’s announcement that couples will be able to marry from next March.
We are concerned by the further delays to couples currently in civil partnerships being able to convert to a marriage and implementing provisions to allow married people wanting to change their legal gender without their annulling their marriage.
Following months of consultation and the passage of the Bill through Parliament, there is no compelling reason for further delay. The Government has had plenty of time to set plans. Many couples were waiting for yesterday’s news and will be disappointed by the delays. We urge the Government to remove uncertainty and set a timetable as soon as possible.”
Photo By Kurt Löwenstein Educational Center International Team from Germany (qe07 (9)) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
