#The Wedding Secret Magazine » Feed The Wedding Secret Magazine » Comments Feed The Wedding Secret Magazine » Is Same Sex Marriage Legal In The UK? The Same Sex Marriage Bill – All You Need To Know! Comments Feed The Wedding Secret Magazine -- Submit Is Same Sex Marriage Legal In The UK? The Same Sex Marriage Bill – All You Need To Know! 08/01/2014 by Alex 3 Comments Same sex marriage in the UK in 2014 England and Wales have finally joined the growing number of countries which have now legalised same sex marriage. This may not be news to you, as gay marriage officially became legal back in July 2013. But you may also be wondering why such ceremonies aren’t taking place as of yet; and the simple answer is that, as with the implementation of any new law, the Government often takes a great deal of time over it! Good news is on the horizon, however – the first same sex marriages will start taking place in the spring of 2014. Image from Belinda McCarthy Photography -- 3. Already-married individuals will be able to change their gender without legally ending their marriage The journey of same sex marriages Despite a succession of marriage reforms introduced into UK legislation from as early as the 18th century, it wasn’t until as late as 2004 that same-sex couples who wished to make such a reciprocal commitment could actually do so in any legally-recognised form. -- Image from Dawn Wilkins Photography When will same-sex marriage ceremonies be able to take place? The primary sponsor of the Act, Equalities Minister Maria Miller, states that “Marriage is one of our most important institutions, and from 29th March 2014 it will be open to everyone, irrespective of whether they fall in love with someone of the same sex or opposite sex.” -- What about gay marriage in church or other religious buildings? Before the new legislation came into effect, a same-sex civil partnership ceremony was not recognised in a religious context either. Now the law has been amended to allow certain religious bodies to conduct same-sex marriages – albeit on an opt-in basis. Religious bodies opposed to the act have been ‘banned’ from holding same-sex marriages via law, in order to protect them from adverse interpretation of the European Convention Law on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion. Religious bodies in the UK which have opted in include Christian Denominations such as Quakers and Unitarians, and the Jewish Liberal and Reform Synagogues. -- Converting existing civil partnerships Those who already enjoy a co-habiting civil partnership will be able to convert their relationship to that of a civil marriage. The government haven’t as yet released any specific dates for when such couples will be able to do this, but have stated that the conversion of civil partnerships ‘will follow later’ (presumably after same-sex marriage ceremonies start taking place). Conversion will require a fee to be paid – as you would normally pay a fee for any marriage ceremony. -- The introduction of this amended legislation is going to have a wider impact on the wedding industry as a whole, thanks to the increased number of marriages that the law will facilitate – especially considering that if ceremonies are to be a legal requirement of converting a civil partnership into a marriage, many couples will see this as an opportunity to hold their entire wedding celebration once again – and whyever not! What about Same-sex marriage laws in Scotland and Northern Ireland? Currently, the government in Northern Ireland have no plans to introduce same-sex marriages. Scottish Parliament is currently working through stages of passing their own ‘Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill’. Currently, the bill is due to enter ‘Stage 2′ on the 16th January 2014. The progress of Scottish bills are broken into 3 stages, with a post stage 3 culminating in Royal Assent. Experts predict same sex marriages will commence in Scotland in early 2015. So, prospective couples asking questions such as ‘when is gay marriage legal in the UK?’, and ‘when is the Gay Marriage Bill UK 2013 coming into effect?’ should find all their answers here! All in all, this is fantastic news which will enable homosexual, lesbian and other gay couples to tie the knot on equal grounds with everyone else – equality for all, just like it should be. -- http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/marriagesamesexcouplesbill.html Read the Government’s statement about the Same Sex Marriage Act 2013- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/same-sex-marriage-becomes-law -- 3. Where to get married? Filed Under: Featured Articles, Inspire Me, Wedding Planning Advice Tagged With: equality, same sex marriage, same sex weddings Comments -- Hi, I found this really interesting, especially as you’ve made a timeline of this long process whilst also stating what the new law means for everyone in different circumstances! I’ve written a blog which is based on celebrating same-sex marriage in the UK whilst also exploring why it has taken so long. If you have a moment, please read and let me know why you think it has taken so long! Thanks Reply -- Trackbacks 1. Same Sex Marriage: What The New Law Really Means! | Two Brides UK says: 10/01/2014 at 9:44 am […] Or, click the link to read other sites take on the same sex marriage bill! […] Reply