Same-sex marriage becomes law

Same-sex couples will be able to marry in England and Wales, after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill received Royal Assent.

The Queen gave her assent on 17 July, the day after the bill completed its passage through Parliament.

What the law does

The new law allows same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies. Religious organisations will be able to conduct same-sex weddings if they choose to opt in, but none will be forced to do so.

The Church of England and the Church in Wales are specifically banned from conducting same-sex marriages under the law, although this could change if they decide to allow them in future.

Couples in civil partnerships will be able to convert them to marriages.

The first weddings are expected to take place next year.

Civil partnerships

Same-sex couples have been able to form civil partnerships since 2005, which give them many of the same legal rights as married couples. But campaigners argued that only full marriage would give them equal status.

Cameron's support

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has strongly supported the change, saying he backs gay marriage because he is a Conservative. He said it would strengthen society.

However, the bill divided his party. When it was voted on in the House of Commons in February, more Conservative MPs voted against it than for it. It passed with the support of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs.

Opposition

Opponents, including many religious groups, argued that marriage should remain between a man and a woman, and that the change had been rushed through without a proper mandate.

The Church of England and the Catholic Church opposed the bill.

Celebrations

Gay rights campaigners celebrated outside Parliament when the bill was passed. The campaign group Stonewall described it as a historic moment.

Campaigners in Birmingham, which holds one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country, have welcomed the change.

Elsewhere

Scotland is considering its own legislation on same-sex marriage. In Northern Ireland, there are no plans to introduce it.

A growing number of countries around the world, including France, which passed a similar law this year, now allow same-sex couples to marry.