May 5, 2016

Isle of Man gives green light to same sex marriage

After six votes in favour and three against the amendments, which were announced on Tuesday, the Bill is now in force, allowing same sex couples the right to marry on the island – just as they can in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

The island, which has long maintained autonomy from the UK, was one of the last in the British Isles to legalise homosexuality back in 1992 – but the Bill’s news means that it will not be the last to introduce same-sex marriage.

In fact, the introduction of the new Bill means that Northern Ireland is now the only remaining part of the UK where same-sex marriage remains against the law, after proposals were greenlit in Jersey and Guernsey in recent years.

Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Alan Bell, said: “Everyone who loves their partner, whether same-sex or otherwise, must have equal rights to share their lives.

“It’s a totally logical human right and human expectation that straight couples and gay couples should be able to enjoy life with the partner that they choose and I totally support that.”

The Minister, who recently opened up to the public about his own sexuality, spoke passionately about the introduction of the Bill and a bright future of equality.

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