British House of Commons Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The British House of Commons passed the bill to legalize gay marriage with a massive vote of 400 to 175.  It is expected to become a law when it is signed by Prime Minister David Cameron.

CBC reports:

“Same-sex civil partnerships have been allowed in the U.K. for eight years. One of the more high-profile unions is between musician Elton John and his Canadian partner, David Furnish.

“The bill would allow same-sex couples to get married in a town hall or a church, but would exclude clergy in the Church of England — the country’s official faith — from having to carry out the ceremonies.

“The bill allows for other religious groups that wish to conduct same-sex ceremonies — such as Quakers and liberal Jews — to do so if their governing bodies approve.”

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, an LGBT rights group, said this: “Happily, the size of the Commons majority seen tonight – much larger than for most normal Government business – will make it very difficult for peers to suggest that the Bill should be rejected.”