Same-sex couples will now be able to get married after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill received Royal Ascent and has become law in England and Wales.
Amid ongoing battles over the shape of political systems in the Arab world, and sexual violence against women in those countries, what can the international community do to support Arab women?
The US Supreme Court may have struck down the Defence of Marriage Act to be unconstitutional, and a number of states do offer equal rights, but in states without such equality, gay couples are starting to look at other ways to balance the scales. One gay couple in Pennsylvania have decided that if they can’t get married to avoid inheritance tax, then they would use adoption instead.
The House of Commons has voted to allow gay marriage in England and Wales, with 366 votes in favour and 161 in opposition. The proposals caused a rift within the Tory party, but were supported by the Labour and Lib Dem leaderships.
In a key commons vote MPs voted in support of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by a majority 225 with prime minister David Cameron describing it as “an important step forward”