British gay marriage bill passes, to receive consent from queen
British lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill legalising same-sex marriage in England and Wales, paving the way for the first gay weddings next year.
MPs in the House of Commons decided not to oppose a number of minor amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill proposed by the House of Lords, the upper parliamentary chamber.
The legislation is now expected to receive official assent from Queen Elizabeth II later this week after MPs agreed to changes such as ensuring protections for transgender couples.
Already on Monday night, jubilant gay rights activists danced outside parliament as the government-backed bill passed unopposed through the House of Lords. Some members there wore pink carnations.
A spokesman for the culture ministry, which is overseeing the new law, said the bill would probably receive royal assent on Wednesday or Thursday.
“But we are looking at seeing the first gay weddings in the middle of next year because there are various issues to sort out, such as its impact on pensions,” the spokesman added.