The latest news and comment on same-sex, equal or gay marriage
July 2024
Church of England moves closer to services of blessing for same-sex couples
The archbishop of Canterbury urged traditionalists not to abandon the church over the move
March 2024
‘We can’t rest on our laurels’: couples on 10 years of equal marriage in England and Wales
On the 10-year anniversary of equal marriage in Britain, I’m thinking of my dad, and the long road to acceptance
Gary Nunn
Today in Focus
Ten years of equal marriage – what has it changed?
Greek Orthodox church calls for excommunication of MPs after same-sex marriage vote
February 2024
Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage
Lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted for the bill drafted by centre-right government despite church officials’ objections
January 2024
Ireland kickstarts vote on constitution’s wording about women and family
Same-sex couples able to marry in Estonia from New Year’s Day
December 2023
Pope Francis’s small step on gay rights should be welcomed
So Pope Francis has deigned to ‘bless’ gay couples? That’s not a blessing, it’s an insult
Matt Cain
November 2023
Church of England’s ‘blessings’ for gay couples are not enough
Letters: Progressive clergy will claim the synod vote is a victory, but the reality is far less than promised, writes Rev Andrew Foreshew-Cain. Plus letters from Rev Katie Welborn van Santen,Darren Hackett and Dr Andrew Wilshere
September 2023
A moment that changed me
A moment that changed me: my wife and I had resolved to marry 22 times. Her death was devastating
We were only four weddings into an art project to champion equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. But at least on paper I was able to finish the project – and keep her memory alive
May 2023
Japan government under renewed pressure to end same-sex marriage ban
Only the government stands in the way of humanist marriage
April 2023
‘Something special’: same-sex couple wed in UK year after fleeing Ukraine
‘It’s like we don’t exist’: Japan faces pressure to allow same-sex marriage
February 2023
Kate Forbes defiant despite backlash over equal marriage views
Politician hoping to become SNP leader says public are ‘longing for a politician to answer straight questions with straight answers’
Parliament’s part in the C of E’s rifts on equality for women and gay people
Letters: Westminster interference over women priests left a legacy that is still felt today, says April Alexander, while Andy Foster says equality for LGBTQ+ people in the church must become law
One side of the C of E preaches LGBT+ acceptance, the other says I’m going to hell. This can’t go on
Jayne Ozanne
‘Blessing’ LGBT+ people instead of allowing equal marriage is just the latest round of Church of England can-kicking, says Jayne Ozanne, an elected member of the General Synod
January 2023
C of E bishops’ compromise on same-sex marriage will not settle painful divisions
Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledges the proposals are likely to displease both conservatives and progressives
