Irish activists welcome decision of UK House of Lords to pass equal marriage bill
The decision of the House Lords to pass the equal marriage bill for England and Wales at third reading can hopefully bolster equality efforts in Ireland, campaigners in the country have said.
On Monday, the Lords passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill following a short debate.
The bill will begin its final passage through the Commons on Tuesday afternoon and MPs will this evening debate amendments made to the legislation in the Upper House
The first same-sex weddings are expected to take by the summer of 2014.
Ireland’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) welcomed Monday’s news.
“The vote of the UK Parliament is a further historic step in the journey to full equality for lesbian and gay people in England and Wales and contributes significantly to the growing International momentum for equality”, Kieran Rose, the chair of GLEN said.
“A very strong message of inclusion, value and equality has been sent to lesbian and gay people everywhere”, he added.
A referendum on equal marriage in Ireland will take place in 2014.
