Entry #58: Same-sex marriage in United Kingdom

Current Version

Region	United Kingdom
Issue	Same-sex marriage
Status	Civil unions (marriage rights)
Start Date	Dec 5, 2005
End Date	Mar 12, 2014
Description	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system. The Equality Act 2010 amended the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 to allow civil unions to be performed at religious institutions, though religious organisations maintained a right to refuse to perform civil unions. This amendment, along with the rest of the Equality Act, came into effect on 1 October 2010.
Sources	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/

Revision History (11)

Mar 27, 2025

edited by jadeywadey. oopsie daisy, my bad

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
End Date	Oct 1, 2010	Mar 12, 2014
Sources	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/The Equality https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/
Sources	Show Difference https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/The Equality https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/

Mar 27, 2025

edited by jadeywadey. merged two entries

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system. The Equality Act 2010 amended the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 to allow civil unions to be performed at religious institutions, though religious organisations maintained a right to refuse to perform civil unions. This amendment, along with the rest of the Equality Act, came into effect on 1 October 2010.
Description	Show Difference The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system. system. The Equality Act 2010 amended the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 to allow civil unions to be performed at religious institutions, though religious organisations maintained a right to refuse to perform civil unions. This amendment, along with the rest of the Equality Act, came into effect on 1 October 2010.
Sources	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/The Equality https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/
Sources	Show Difference https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/The Equality https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/202/enacted https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/overview/lawofmarriage-/

Feb 12, 2025

edited by LovelyJubbly. Correcting the end date and description

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.
Description	Show Difference The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system. 2005 and allowed for civil unions to be performed at registry offices, but not at religious institutions. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership was sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.

Feb 12, 2025

edited by LovelyJubbly. Correcting the end date

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Dec 5, 2011	Oct 1, 2010
Description	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The at came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The act came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.
Description	Show Difference The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The at came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system. act came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.

Feb 12, 2025

edited by LovelyJubbly. Adding more detail and sources

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	2004	Dec 5, 2005
End Date	2012	Dec 5, 2011
Description	The Civil Partnership Act (2004). Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system	The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The at came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.
Description	Show Difference The Civil Partnership Act (2004). Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system 2004 received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 November 2004. The at came into effect on 5 December 2005. Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system.
Sources	https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/
Sources	Show Difference https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/enacted https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/

Oct 30, 2023

edited by qcksws. fixed date

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jul 14, 2013	2012

Oct 30, 2023

edited by qcksws. fixing dates so they dont overlapp

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jul 16, 2013	Jul 14, 2013

Oct 30, 2023

edited by qcksws. The bill was passed sometime in 2004, it was only revised recently, unknown changes have been made

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Dec 5, 2005	2004

Nov 21, 2022

edited by cskinner

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description		The Civil Partnership Act (2004). Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system
Sources	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/contents	https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/
Sources	Show Difference http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/contents https://www.equality-network.org/your-rights/civil-partnership/

Mar 27, 2014

edited by vviet93

Helpful?

	Old Value (Original)	New Value
End Date	(none)	Jul 16, 2013

Aug 20, 2013

created by chris

Helpful?

	Original entry
Status	Civil unions (marriage rights)
Start Date	Dec 5, 2005
End Date	(none)
Description	(empty)
Sources	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/contents

Reports (4)
Other "Same-sex marriage is legal (pending implementation later this month) in England and Wales, and in Scotland (also pending implementation).

Other parts of the United Kingdom do not have same-sex marriage - the Channel Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man etc."
Mar 3, 2014
Duplicate entry 
Feb 17, 2014
Other information is incorrect "First same-sex marriage can take place on 29th of March 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/10/same-sex-weddings-march-2014-government"
Dec 10, 2013
Date is incorrect "Equal marriage superseded civil partnerships from 17 July 2013"
Sep 16, 2013