UK: Equal marriage rally to take place at Westminster today
The Peter Tatchell Foundation has organised a rally to encourage MPs to vote in favour of the same-sex marriage bill going to a vote later today in the House of Commons (Tuesday).
The rally will begin at 5:30pm with a vigil by the statue of George V in Old Palace Yard, opposite the House of Commons.
It will then move to a public meeting in Committee Room 9 of the House of Commons, lasting from 6 til 8pm. Campaigners and MPs are expected to attend around the vote at 7pm.
“MPs vote tonight at 7pm on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Supporters of marriage equality will rally outside and inside parliament. We are taking a stand for equal rights, against the vociferous homophobic minority. They want to keep us as second class citizens and are resorting to smears and scare tactics. Our rally is for love and equality,” said the Foundation’s Director, Peter Tatchell.
“Whatever your personal views about marriage and gay rights, in a democratic society everyone should be equal before the law. The ban on same-sex marriage is homophobic discrimination and should be repealed.”
Mr Tatchell added: “This legislation is about ensuring equal marriage rights for all. Denying lesbian and gay couples the right to marry disparages and insults their love.
“The fact that some senior politicians and churchmen believe gay couples are unworthy of marriage is proof that homophobia is still deemed an acceptable prejudice in the highest levels of society. Their support for legalised discrimination gives comfort to bigots everywhere.”
