Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron’s plan

The United Kingdom lower house in Parliament, the House of Commons, voted on the 21 May 2013 to allow gay marriage in England and Wales, despite 161 MPs opposing the government's plans.

Several Tory MPs spoke against the proposals, which have caused tensions in the Conservative Party, but the Labour and Lib Dem leaderships backed them.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would now go before the House of Lords, where it was expected to face opposition from groups such as bishops.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: French parliament legalises gay marriage, adoption http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-parliament-legalises-gay-marriage-adoption/

ESO: Background Information: Cameron's Conservatives cave in to the 'zeitgeist' http://www.europeansources.info/record/camerons-conservatives-cave-in-to-the-zeitgeist/

Wikipedia: Same-sex marriage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage

Wikipedia: LGBT rights in Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Europe

ESO: Background information: EU LGBT Survey: Poll on homophobia sparks concern http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-lgbt-survey-poll-on-homophobia-sparks-concern/

France24, 21.05.13: Gay marriage bill passes hurdle in British parliament http://www.france24.com/en/20130521-uk-gay-marriage-bill-passes-parliamentary-hurdle

Social Europe Journal, 17.07.13: Gays And The New Public Philosophy http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/07/gays-and-the-new-public-philosophy/

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