Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Prior to this Act, civil partnerships were available to same-sex couples, providing similar rights and responsibilities as marriage, but not the status of marriage itself.

The Act allows same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies. Religious organisations and individual celebrants can opt in or out of performing same-sex marriages; the Church of England and the Church in Wales are specifically prohibited from doing so by their own canons. The Act includes protections for freedom of speech, allowing individuals to express views on marriage without fear of legal repercussions, provided their expressions do not incite hatred or discrimination.

The Act amends existing marriage laws to remove gendered language and ensure equal treatment of same-sex and opposite-sex couples. It also addresses issues related to divorce, adoption, and other family law matters in the context of same-sex marriage.

The Act received Royal Assent on 17 July 2013 and came into force on 13 March 2014, with the first same-sex marriages taking place on 29 March 2014.