Queen Elizabeth II gives royal stamp of approval to same-sex marriage
God save the Queen indeed!
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Queen Elizabeth II gives royal stamp of approval to same-sex marriage[/font]
LONDON Britain on Wednesday legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval, clearing the way for the first same-sex weddings next summer.
Lawmakers cheered as House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said royal assent had been given one day after the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales cleared Parliament.
The law enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales, provided that the religious institution consents. The Church of England, the countrys official faith, is barred from performing such ceremonies.
It also will allow couples who had previously entered into civil partnerships which were introduced in 2005 and carry similar rights and responsibilities to marriage to convert their relationships to marriage.
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