Liberty fully supports the Bill, which represents a historic moment for civil liberties and equality in Britain. The Government should be congratulated for recognising that in a truly democratic and tolerant society, the love and commitment shared by gay and straight couples alike must be given equal status under the law.
Protecting civil liberties means ensuring that every man and woman has the freedom to pursue personal fulfilment. For many, that means choosing to share their life with another – irrespective of sexual orientation and safe in the knowledge that their union will be fully respected.
Liberty is equally committed to religious freedom. The concerns felt by some about the Bill’s impact on religious institutions is understandable, but this legislation doesn’t represent any threat to our proud tradition of religious tolerance – or marriage’s place within society. Those worried about faith groups being forced into conducting same-sex ceremonies can rest assured that the Bill has been carefully crafted to ensure full protection for freedom of conscience and belief – for those institutions which wish to conduct such marriages and for those which don’t.
We’ve come a long way in securing equality for gay people in this country and this Bill is the natural culmination of that progress. Liberty is delighted that our Government is forging ahead with plans to make marriage an inclusive institution – and that the majority of the House of Commons is so firmly behind the proposals.
