UK Wedding News
06/08/2013
A gay couple are to bring a legal challenge to the Church of England's ban on same-sex marriage.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 44, and his partner Tony, 49, who became Britain's first gay surrogate parents, want to marry in a church, but believe the "only way forward" is to challenge the Church in court.
Last month, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act received royal assent, but it also contains a "quadruple lock" of legal provisions designed to protect those churches who do not wish to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.
While a number of religious groups have said they will opt-in to conducting the ceremonies, the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have repeatedly said they will not.
This legal move by the millionaire couple will now test the Prime Minister's promise to the churches that they would be forced to conduct same-sex weddings against its will.
Speaking to the Essex Chronicle, the couple said they welcomed the new legislation, but said they still felt discriminated against.
The couple, who describe themselves as practising Christians and who regularly attend church, entered into a civil partnership in 2006 and are parents to five children through surrogacy.
Mr Drewitt-Barlow said: "It is a shame that we are forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise us.
It is like someone giving me a sweetie with the wrapper on and telling me to suck it.
"I am a Christian – a practising Christian – my children have all been brought up as Christians and are part of the local parish church in Danbury.
"I want to go into my church and marry my husband … The only way forward for us now is to make a challenge in the courts against the church."
The changes regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage has been shrouded in controversy, despite being made law last month.
One of those most opposed to the change of the definition of marriage is Colin Hart, Campaign Director for the Coalition for Marriage.
He is quoted as saying: "The ink is not even dry on the Bill and churches are already facing litigation.
"We warned Mr Cameron this would happen, we told him he was making promises that he couldn't possibly keep.
"He didn't listen, he didn't care, he's the one who has created this mess - Mr Cameron's chickens are coming home to roost."
(JP/CD)
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Same-Sex Couple To Sue CoE
A gay couple are to bring a legal challenge to the Church of England's ban on same-sex marriage.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 44, and his partner Tony, 49, who became Britain's first gay surrogate parents, want to marry in a church, but believe the "only way forward" is to challenge the Church in court.
Last month, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act received royal assent, but it also contains a "quadruple lock" of legal provisions designed to protect those churches who do not wish to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.
While a number of religious groups have said they will opt-in to conducting the ceremonies, the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have repeatedly said they will not.
This legal move by the millionaire couple will now test the Prime Minister's promise to the churches that they would be forced to conduct same-sex weddings against its will.
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Speaking to the Essex Chronicle, the couple said they welcomed the new legislation, but said they still felt discriminated against.
The couple, who describe themselves as practising Christians and who regularly attend church, entered into a civil partnership in 2006 and are parents to five children through surrogacy.
Mr Drewitt-Barlow said: "It is a shame that we are forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise us.
It is like someone giving me a sweetie with the wrapper on and telling me to suck it.
"I am a Christian – a practising Christian – my children have all been brought up as Christians and are part of the local parish church in Danbury.
"I want to go into my church and marry my husband … The only way forward for us now is to make a challenge in the courts against the church."
The changes regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage has been shrouded in controversy, despite being made law last month.
One of those most opposed to the change of the definition of marriage is Colin Hart, Campaign Director for the Coalition for Marriage.
He is quoted as saying: "The ink is not even dry on the Bill and churches are already facing litigation.
"We warned Mr Cameron this would happen, we told him he was making promises that he couldn't possibly keep.
"He didn't listen, he didn't care, he's the one who has created this mess - Mr Cameron's chickens are coming home to roost."
(JP/CD)
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