equality for us

Congratulations to Stonewall and Lord Alli for successfully campaigning the latest amendment to the Equality Bill to permit civil partnerships in religious premises.

The government came under criticism for side stepping a row with religious leaders and refusing to back the amendment but it was thought that Harriet Harman did not want to risk the entire bill by sending it back to the Lords.

Support from the Quakers, Liberal Jews, as well as leading Tories and Liberal Democrats calling for a free vote successfully dissolved the Government’s opposition. The proposed amendment was passed with 95 votes to 21 in favour at the House of Lords on March 2nd - a resounding victory for the rights of gay people of faith. Ben Summerskill said:

“We’ve argued throughout that this is an important matter of religious freedom. Ministers have known for some months that we intended to table this measure and we regret that the Government didn’t stand up to the bullying it faced from some churches on this issue. We’ll now work closely with ministers to ensure that we secure implementation of this further step towards equality. This vote is hugely important to those gay people of faith (and, as Lady Neuberger pointed out, to their Jewish mothers too!) who wish to celebrate their civil partnerships in their own place of worship.”

To see the full Stonewall press release and related news articles click here.

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