In July 2013, the UK Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill was passed and on 29 March 2014, the first gay weddings took place in England and Wales. Scotland is expected to follow suit later in the year. The right for same-sex couples to marry built on the Civil Partnership Act of 2004. Although more Conservative MPs voted against the 2013 bill than supported it, a Radio 5 Live poll conducted at the time found that 68% of people supported it.
Under the new legislation no religious organisations will be forced to conduct same-sex ceremonies. Indeed, the Church of England and Church of Wales have been banned in law from doing so. However, Quakers, Liberal Judaism and Unitarians have already expressed a keenness to do so.
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