The History of Same-Sex Marriage in the UK

The History of SAME-SEX MARRIAGE in the UK The UK has made leaps and bounds over the last 10 years concerning the civil rights of LGBTQ people. This is made even more significant by the fact that recent reports show that more than 2.7 billion people live in countries where homosexuality is considered a crime, punishable by death in some countries. So how did we in Blighty get to where we are today? In 1533 The Buggery Act was the first secular law passed against same-sex relations in the UK. This was replaced by other laws in the next 4 centuries, yet buggery remained punishable by death until the penalty was repealed in 1861. 1533 A marriage was annulled between Arabella Hunt and James Howard because it turned out Howard was really a 'perfect woman in all her parts'. 1682 In 1971 The Nullity of Marriage Act was passed banning same- sex marriages in England and Wales. This was later replaced by The Matrimonial Causes Act in 1973. Gay marriage was also illegal in Scotland and N. Ireland at this time. 1971 London saw Britain's first gay 1972 pride rally. Over 1,000 people were in attendance. In 1973 homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in the UK. The World Health Organisation did not follow suit until almost 20 years later. Some mental health professionals still believe this and offer so-called 1973 reparative therapies." Same-sex acts between 1982 consenting adults was decriminalised. The Labour Government passed The Civil Partnership Act in 2004 allowing civil partnerships between same- sex couples. The Gender Recognition Act was also passed in this year giving trans people legál recognition as regards to their gender identity. 2004 The Equality Act makes it 2006 illegal to refuse LGBT people goods and services on the grounds of their sexuality. The coalition government approved the Marriage Bill in July 2013 allowing same sex couples to marry in the UK. The legislation came into effect on 13th March 2014. The first same- sex couples to marry in the UK married on this day. 2013 SPONSORED BY THE PAVILION UK www.thepavilionuk.com Our stunning wedding venue can accommodate up to 180 guests for your wedding or civil ceremony. Sources: www.theguardian.com - en.wikipedia.org - www.aglp.org - www.stonewall.org.uk