UK Parliament / Open data

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Proceeding contribution from Lord Alli (Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 8 July 2013. It occurred during Debate on bills on Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

My Lords, we debated at Second Reading and in Committee the rights of this group of employees not to conduct same-sex marriages. I understand that it might seem unfair to some that registrars who do not approve of gay marriage should have their jobs put at risk if they refuse to marry same-sex couples. Registration is the core of what those public employees do. It is not an add-on. It is their refusal to do a substantial part of their job that creates the issue, not their religious belief. We divide church and state, and I think it is dangerous to let church bleed into state functions. I believe that every citizen of this country has a right, regardless of colour, creed, background, religion or, indeed, sexual orientation to have equal access to the goods and services offered by the state. We all pay for them.

5.45 pm

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
747 c46 
Session
2013-14
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
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