Today lawmakers in Great Britain passed a bill in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. Supported by Prime Minister David Cameron, the bill would allow homosexual couples to obtain the same legal status and rights as heterosexual couples. It would also grant gay couples the right to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies with the consent of religious institutions.
"I am a strong believer in marriage. It helps people commit to each other and I think it is right that gay people should be able to get married too," said the Prime Minister. "This is, yes, about equality. But it is also about making our society stronger."
The bill passed by an overwhelming margin in the British House of Commons, 400 to 175, and was mainly supported by the liberal Labour Party and Liberal Democrats party. However, it was rejected largely by the PM's Conservative party.
"Marriage is the union between a man and a woman, has been historically, remains so. It is Alice in Wonderland territory, Orwellian almost, for any government of any political persuasion to seek to come along and try to re-write the lexicon," said Conservative lawmaker Roger Gale. Other critics have also argued that the proposal would change the definition of marriage.
In order to pass, the bill must be voted on in the House of Lords. Cameron also said passing the bill is "an important step forward" for Britain.
As of now, same-sex couple are allowed to get civil partnerships which grants them the same legal rights on inheritance, pensions, and child maintenance. However, gay rights advocates say they want full equality.
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