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Introduction
The path that the UK took to legalise gay marriage shows how the country’s views on LGBTQ+ rights are changing. There were many problems along the way to equality, but when it was finally legalised, it was a big step forward in the fight for equal rights. This blog discusses about the history, the process of making gay marriage legal in the UK, and the effects of that decision.
Historical Background
In the UK in the early 1900s, being gay was seen as a very bad thing and was even illegal. The notorious Labouchere Amendment of 1885 made “gross indecency” between men illegal. This led to the arrest and imprisonment of many people, including the famous playwright Oscar Wilde.
With the Sexual Offences Act 1967, private gay acts between men over the age of 21 were no longer illegal. This was a major turning point. It was a very important step towards ending institutionalised homophobia, but it only applied to England and Wales at first. In 1980 and 1982, Scotland and Northern Ireland did the same.
When was Civil Partnership Legalised in the UK?
In the 1990s and early 2000s, there was more and more support for equal rights. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 was the end result. It let same-sex couples form civil partnerships and gave them the same legal rights as married straight couples. Even though this was a big step forward, it wasn’t quite equal marriage rights.
If you are interested in applying for a civil partner visa click here.
The Coalition Government’s Plans
While Prime Minister David Cameron was in charge of the coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, the push for full marriage equality picked up speed. Cameron openly backed gay marriage, saying it was about equality and making sure that anyone in love could get married, no matter what gender they were.
The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act was passed by the government of the UK in 2013. The act let same-sex partners get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, as long as the religious group agreed. The House of Commons voted in favour by a large margin, and then the House of Lords did the same.
March 29, 2014, was a big day in UK history because it was the first day that people of the same gender got married in England and Wales. People all over the country enjoyed this important event, which stood for a victory for love and equality.
Scotland passed its own law, the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014, and on December 31, 2014, the first same-sex weddings took place. The nation of Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to make same-sex marriage legal. On January 13, 2020, after a long political and legal fight, it finally became law.
Acceptance and visibility in society
Making gay marriage legal has made it much easier for LGBTQ+ people to be seen and accepted by others. It has made it possible for same-sex partners to publicly show their love and commitment, which has led to more acceptance and understanding in society.
In addition to social effects, legalisation has given same-sex couples many legal and financial advantages. These protect same-sex couples legally in the same ways that straight couples do. They include inheritance rights, tax breaks, and parenting rights.
Problems that still exist and the future
Legalising gay marriage is an immense move forward, but there are still problems to solve. Discrimination, hate crimes, and the fight for transgender rights are still problems that need to be looked at and dealt with. The progress that has been made in marriage equality will help make more progress in LGBTQ+ rights.
In the UK, making gay marriage legal is an important milestone in the fight for justice and equality. It shows that the country cares about the rights and dignity of all its people, no matter what sexual orientation they are.
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