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Gay news: 'Another advance for gay equality and religious freedom'
Tatchell: "the decent thing to do"
Peers vote to lift ban on civil partnership ceremonies in churches
The House of Lords has voted to lift the ban on same-sex couples holding civil partnership ceremonies in churches and all other religious buildings.
The amendment to the equality bill, proposed by out gay peer Lord Alli, was overwhelmingly backed by lords from all parties on a free vote, with 95 voting in favour and 21 against.
The amendment will allow, but not compel, religious organisations to host the ceremonies, and faiths including Liberal Judaism, the Quakers and the Unitarians have expressed the wish to do so.
Although the government is opposed to the measure, which will have to be approved by the Commons, it is thought unlikely that MPs would make any significant changes.
Reportedly, the Church of England, which is divided over same-sex blessings, will maintain its official ban even if the amendment is passed in the Commons, but there are indications it may be ignored by some clergy.
Late last month, senior Church of England clergy called for bishops in the Lords to support Lord Alli's amendment, saying it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples from having their ceremonies in churches and other religious premises.
Those who voted against the amendment included the Right Rev David James, Bishop of Bradford, and former Conservative cabinet ministers Lord Tebbit and Lord Waddington.
Lord Alli told the house: "There are many gay and lesbian couples who want to share their civil partnership with the congregations that they worship with, and there a number of religious organisations that want to allow gay and lesbian couples to do exactly that.
"Religious freedom requires us to let others do things that we ourselves would not do. Religious freedom cannot begin and end with what one religion wants."
Civil rights campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the news, describing it as "another advance for gay equality and religious freedom".
He said: "Allowing faith organisations to make their own decisions on whether to conduct same-sex civil partnerships is the democratic and decent thing to do."
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this vote for religious freedom. It will be warmly welcomed by lesbian and gay people of faith.
"We regret the government spoke against equality but we hope they will now do the necessary drafting with urgency."
