Tag Archives: England

Reuters reports: Tough new lockdown restrictions on social gatherings across the whole of England are to be announced on Wednesday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to control a spike in COVID-19 infections. From Sept. 14, groups of more than six people will be banned from meeting and fined if they fail to comply, Johnson will say. The number of …

The Guardian reports: Boris Johnson has implored people to behave responsibly and safely as England’s chief medical officer admitted Saturday’s easing of the lockdown left the country treading a narrow path with serious risks “on either side”. In a press conference on the eve of changes that will allow restaurants, pubs and bars to reopen for the first time since …

The Guardian reports: Police chiefs will consider the possibility of offering a gun to every frontline police officer in England and Wales, to counter the threat of a marauding terrorist attack, the Guardian has learned. A discussion paper on the subject has been drawn up for the next meeting of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which wants to look …

But it’s not a complete win. Reuters reports: A high court judge ruled on Tuesday that an HIV pill to prevent infection can be funded by the state health service in England, in a victory for AIDS campaigners who have been calling for its widespread use. So-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, using Gilead Sciences’ medicine Truvada, can cut the …

The Guardian reports: Sir Terence Etherton, Britain’s first openly gay senior judge, has been appointed master of the rolls, making him head of the civil judiciary in England and Wales. The 64-year-old lawyer’s promotion was confirmed by an announcement from Downing Street on Thursday morning. Etherton, who has been on the court of appeal and is currently chancellor of the …

From the Daily Mail: The Queen did not approve of the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the Daily Mail can reveal today. While in favour of civil partnerships, as a woman of deep Christian faith she took a different view on the legislation allowing same-sex couples to ‘marry’. She expressed her frustration to a friend at the height of the controversy, …

Via Pink News: The Marriage (Same Sex) Couples Act received Royal Assent on 17 July 2013, paving the way for couples to marry in England and Wales from March 29, 2014. Today, the first couples to marry celebrate their first wedding anniversaries, and campaigners are also marking the day. Though England, Wales and subsequently Scotland have all enacted same-sex marriage, …

Via CNN: Fox News took time out of four broadcasts on Saturday to apologize for four separate instances of incorrect information that portrayed Muslims in a negative light. Several of the cases involved incendiary comments about “no-go zones” in Europe, where Islamic law supposedly supersedes local law and where non-Muslims fear to go. Other media outlets have accused Fox of …

Same-sex marriage commenced in England and Wales on March 29th, but it was only beginning yesterday that those already in civil partnerships could opt to convert into marriages. Couples already in civil partnerships may opt for a simple conversion at a register office, or a two-stage process, which includes a ceremony at a venue of their choice. The latter allows …

During his triumphant speech early this morning, British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed that “just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales, Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs.” He continued, “The question of English votes for English laws – the so-called West Lothian …

Via the Guardian: Amnesty International has warned that a legal challenge is likely to the Northern Ireland assembly’s decision to block a gay marriage equality bill. A Sinn Féin motion to bring in gay marriage to Northern Ireland was defeated by 51 votes to 43. It was the third time in the past 18 months that Stormont has rejected same-sex …

“We’ve made that decision. Parliament made a decision to allow same sex marriage. We’ve done it and I, like all my colleagues across Government, have been involved in the process of making sure that the introduction of same sex marriage is smooth and effective. It’s now in place. The people who have been opposed to this, people who’ve had concerns …

“The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight …

Same-sex marriages have commenced in England and Wales! The law changed at midnight, with a number of gay couples vying to claim the title of being the first to be married in Britain by trying to time it perfectly so their vows are being said just seconds after the clock struck midnight. Among the first couples set to take advantage …

The Guardian reports that the Church Of England has softened its stance on same-sex marriage, which becomes legal in England and Wales at midnight today. The Archbishop of Canterbury has signalled that the Church of England will mount no more resistance to gay marriage among churchgoers. “I think the church has reacted by fully accepting that it’s the law, and …

Marriages commence in England and Wales on Sunday.

The date has been set. The BBC reports: The first same-sex weddings can take place from 29 March 2014, Equalities Minister Maria Miller says. Initially it was thought the first same-sex marriage in England and Wales would not take place until the summer. Couples wishing to be among the first to marry will need to give formal notice of their …

“Listen David and I are [a] very high-profile gay couple, probably the most high-profile gay couple in the world. You have to set an example. If you say, listen, guys, this is our rights – can you imagine 20 years ago? We’d have never thought this possible.” – Elton John, telling CNN that he plans to get married on the …

We still don’t know exactly when marriages will commence in England and Wales, but some are saying it will be mid-2014.  Images via Wikipedia.