British Prime Minister David Cameron
says he backs gay marriage because he's a “massive” supporter of
marriage.
As lawmakers prepare to vote on a
measure legalizing marriage equality, the government is facing harsh
criticism after it reversed course on the controversial issue of
allowing gay and lesbian couples to get married in a church and other
religious premises.
Some religious groups, including
Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, called for the change, while
the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have strongly
condemned the marriage reform.
“For Quakers, this is an issue of
religious freedom and we don't seek to impose this on others,” Paul
Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, is quoted as saying
by the BBC.
Colin Hart, campaign director for the
Coalition For Marriage, which opposes marriage equality, called the
proposal “alarming.”
“The suggestion that by creating an
'opt-in system' you somehow prevent churches, mosques and synagogues
being sued is risible,” he said. “This is now made much more
likely.”
Cameron defended his proposals.
“I'm a massive supporter of marriage
and I don't want gay people to be excluded from a great institution.”
“But let me be absolutely 100 percent
clear: If there is any church or any synagogue or any mosque that
doesn't want to have a gay marriage it will not, absolutely must not,
be forced to hold it. That is absolutely clear in the legislation.”
“Also let me make clear, this is a
free vote for Members of Parliament, but personally I will be
supporting it,” he added.