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Same-sex marriage becomes law

The government's controversial Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Billl has received Royal Assent. Same-sex couples will be able to get married in England and Wales after new measures became law.

The House of Lords voted through it through earlier in the week with a few amendments which were agreed by MPs. This now means the first gay marriage could take place next year. However, a number of Christian groups fear believers who still oppose it could face discrimination when airing their views in the workplace.

Sir Gerald Howarth - a Christian Tory MP - tells Premier Christians need to stand firm.

It'll be up to church groups to decide whether to opt in to the legislation, although the Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned from hosting the ceremonies.

One group which has already said it will host same-sex weddings is the Quakers.

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, said "It's wonderful to see same-sex marriage achieve legal recognition.

"Quakers have been celebrating same-sex relationships as marriages within our faith community since 2009 and are delighted to see the law catch up.

"For all of us, whether we are in same-sex or opposite-sex relationships, equality just came a big step closer."

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