Queen gives royal assent to same-sex marriage legislation; gay marriage now legal in England/Wales

[The Straight Story]

Queen gives royal assent to same-sex marriage legislation; gay marriage now legal in England and Wales

http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGKrR8BEM/2013/07/17/queen-gives-royal-assent-to-same-sex-marriage-legi?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Britain has legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow told lawmakers that the royal assent had been given Wednesday — the day after the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales cleared Parliament.

The queen's approval was a formality. It clears the way for the first gay marriages next summer.

The bill enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales. It also will allow couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership to convert their relationship to a marriage.


http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uks-gay-marriage-law-clears-parliament-19682653#.UeaeDj5AQRg

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Didn't I also read somewhere where they

Last edited Wed Jul 17, 2013, 10:18 AM - Edit history (1)

were going to, or did, eliminate that stupid male-first crap in the line of succession? I hope so. Another question. Is there still a moratorium on Catholics taking the throne? I'm having a need-to-know moment. Where's Dipsy?

Edit: changed "male-only" to "male-first"

[The Straight Story]

3. Hmmm not sure about the whole Catholic thing. Wonder what happens if someone converted?

History of England is not my strong suit

[Are_grits_groceries]

16. A Catholic still CANNOT inherit the throne:

In spite of proposed change to the law which says heirs to the throne may not marry Catholics, Catholics will still not be allowed to become King or Queen of England for reasons a constitutional expert explains:

"The monarch is supreme governor of the Church of England and is required by the Act of Settlement to be in communion with the Church of England and the rules of the Roman Catholic Church forbid that."

Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/312748#ixzz2ZJS7TFV7

They can now marry a Catholic, but they are still head of The Church Of England.

[Aerows]

5. The Queen

isn't a male ... I'm completely puzzled by this question. As far as Catholics not taking the throne, well that one I can see.

[Le Taz Hot]

10. It was never intended that Eliabeth take the throne;

however, since her uncle David (Edward VIII) abdicated (to marry an American divorcee), the succession went to Elizabeth's father, George (can't remember the number). Since Edward took himself out of the line of succession and had no male heirs, the next in line after Elizabeth's father was Elizabeth, followed by her sister. If Elizabeth's father and mother would have had a son, even if he was much younger, he would have taken the throne ahead of Elizabeth.

By the old rules, if Kate and William's first child is a girl, she will be first in line of succession unless and until a male is born, then he knocks her to #2. It's that question that I was asking.

[Aerows]

12. Oh, I see

Thanks for the answer and the education on line of succession. I didn't realize all of that until you explained

[Lars39]

15. Iirc, I think they changed the rule before Kate got pregnant, or before it was announced

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. I hear you now

and mis understood your question.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Yep...they did eliminate it.

Effective as of 1558, I do believe.

[Le Taz Hot]

13. Actually, no.

Remember, after Henry the VIII died, the youngest child, Edward, took the throne before Mary and before Elizabeth I even though the sisters were older. It was only after Edward died did his sister, Mary, take the throne.

Btw, you might want to read up on William and Mary and how, as 17th successor, managed to take the throne. Interesting story.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. The law for firstborn regardless of sex, and being able to marry a Catholic, is still going through

both the UK parliament, and those of the 15 other countries which share the monarch. But you get the occasional speed-bump thrown up in different countries:

Queensland, Quebec holding up new laws on royal line of succession

The law change must be unanimous and identical in each country to avoid ending up with different monarchs in different states. It can only come into effect when all the realms have ratified it.

But the process is not proving as straightforward as had been hoped, with challenges thrown up by Quebec in Canada and Queensland in Australia.
...
In French-speaking Quebec the issue is a court challenge to the way that the Canadian parliament passed a law to agree to the succession changes, rather than a problem with the changes themselves.

Queensland meanwhile does not want to refer the powers to change the succession law to the 54-nation Commonwealth of mainly former British colonies.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/royal-family/queensland-quebec-holding-up-new-laws-on-royal-line-of-succession/story-fngk74yq-1226675914163

[Le Taz Hot]

19. See? I knew one of our DU Brits would know.

VERY interesting that all 15 countries sharing the monarch must agree. Thanks so much for the info.

[DirkGently]

2. Wow. n/t

[xchrom]

4. cool!

[The Straight Story]

6. Hey, I didn't get a DU rec outta that guy:

[xchrom]

11. the Sisters will deal with him...

[Zorra]

7. YAY! nt

[MattBaggins]

9. This is why I support English republicans

While it is awesome that she supports same sex marriage, who cares if she gives consent?

These laws should be passed without her input or opinion.

[theHandpuppet]

14. Scotland next... let's hope!

Great video, link borrowed from LGBT forum: [url]http://www.democraticunderground.com/113728739 [/url]

[allin99]

20. Pretty fucking awesome.