LGBT global news 24-7

Home » Content about Culture Secretary

Content about Culture Secretary

May 17, 2013
Gay marriage: Straight civil partnerships under review for 2019

UK Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister Maria Miller says there will be a review into whether straight people will want a civil partnership

UK civil partnerships could be granted to straight couples, after senior minister Maria Miller acknowledged there should be a ‘review’ into the future of the unions.

Last night (16 May), the culture secretary and equalities minister said after lobbying by members of parliament over the status of civil partnerships, the government will ‘formally review’ their future.

Miller is opposed to giving civil partnerships to straight couples, which she has called ‘not a requirement’.

February 5, 2013
British MPs clash in debate on same-sex marriage

Prime Minister David Cameron has released a televised statement saying marriage equality will make 'society stronger'

British members of parliament clashed in the House of Commons during a debate on same-sex marriage today (5 February).

Put forward by culture secretary and equalities minister Maria Miller, she opened the forum for the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) bill.

She began by reassuring MPs the European Court of Human Rights would not force religious organizations to host same-sex marriage.

February 5, 2013
Gay UK MPs fight for equal marriage in heated debate

Mike Freer, Ben Bradshaw, and Margot James are among the few making their voices heard as gay people in the House of Commons

Gay members of parliament have spoken out on equal marriage in the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill today (5 February).

Put forward by culture secretary and equalities minister Maria Miller, the House of Commons is debating the bill before the vote later tonight.

Stephen Williams, a Liberal Democrat who was the first openly gay MP to serve Bristol, said: ‘I was born when homosexuality was still a criminal offense.

February 5, 2013
Maria Miller says no Europe court risk of gay marriage

UK Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister Maria Miller has answered questions from opponents of same-sex marriage in the House of Commons

The UK culture secretary and equalities minister has said there is no risk of European courts interfering in the gay marriage law in England and Wales.

On 5 February. Maria Miller took questions from members of parliament who oppose same-sex marriage.

She said the argument which states the European Court of Human Rights would overturn the legal lock ensuring no gay couple would be able to sue the Church of England and the Church in Wales for not performing same-sex marriages.

January 25, 2013
Maria Miller: Teachers allowed to say gay marriage is wrong

UK Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister has attempted to calm fears religious teachers will be sacked for slamming same-sex marriage

UK culture secretary and equalities minister Maria Miller has tried to calm fears religious teachers will be sacked for expressing their views against marriage equality.

As the government prepares to publish the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill today (25 January) for England and Wales, Miller has emphasized teachers will not be ‘forced’ to promote same-sex couples marrying.

She said teachers will be able to say some religious groups, and their own faith believes, homosexuals should not be able to marry.

January 25, 2013
UK government’s gay marriage bill published

UK Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister Maria Miller has published the bill giving gay couples the equal right to marry in England and Wales

December 18, 2012
Muslim Council of Britain demands gay marriage ban

MCB wants to be banned by law from marrying gay couples in England and Wales like the established church – not given the choice like other faiths

The Muslim Council of Britain has complained it is not being banned from marrying gay people in England and Wales, unlike the established church.

Under UK government proposals revealed last week, the Church of England and the Church in Wales will be explicitly, legally banned from marrying lesbian and gay couples when marriage equality is introduced. Other faiths in England and Wales will be able opt-in to marrying same-sex couples if they want.

December 11, 2012
Maria Miller unveils UK government’s gay marriage proposal

UK Culture Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities has confirmed gay couples will be able to marry in religious buildings

Maria Miller, the UK minister for women and equalities, has unveiled the government’s proposal for marriage equality in England and Wales.

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Culture Secretary confirmed same-sex marriage will be allowed in churches and other religious buildings as long as they wish to hold them.

Miller said the government would ensure the necessary legal safeguards were in place to ensure religious organisations were not forced to conduct gay weddings because of fears of a legal challenge.

December 11, 2012
‘Church gay marriage ban open to legal challenge,’ says Peter Tatchell

Veteran gay rights campaigner says the Church of England and Wales ban on performing same-sex unions is illegal according to European law

Veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has said UK government proposals for marriage equality are open to legal challenges.

In the Culture Secretary Maria Miller’s statement to the House of Commons on 11 December, she said the Church of England and Wales will be banned from performing same-sex marriages.

If other religious organizations opt out, all ministers will be unable to perform same-sex marriages, and if they opt in, all ministers will have a choice whether to opt in or out of ordaining gay unions.

October 11, 2012
Equalities minister booed by Tories for backing gay marriage

UK cabinet minister, Maria Miller, reaffirms government's commitment to equal marriage reform during Conservative conference

UK equalities minister Maria Miller has reaffirmed the government's commitment to legalizing gay marriage, despite facing a rebellion from Tory traditionalists.

The newly appointed Culture Secretary, who is also Minister for Women and Equality, was booed after telling Conservative members at the party's annual conference in Birmingham yesterday (11 October) that she still backed equal marriage.

'Five years ago I stood here and told you that I believed in marriage, and nothing's changed,' she said, reported the Press Association.

September 10, 2012
New UK Equalities Minister backs equal marriage despite anti-gay fears

Despite poor record in supporting pro-LGBT laws, Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister Maria Miller says same-sex marriage will 'strengthen' society

The UK’s newly appointed Minister for Women and Equality says she backs gay marriage, despite fears about her poor voting record on LGBT rights.

Maria Miller was appointed the role of Culture Secretary during Prime Minister David Cameron’s reshuffle of his cabinet on 4 September.

September 8, 2012
New UK Culture Secretary asks gay groups not to judge her on record

Despite voting against, or being absent for, every major LGBT rights bill, Maria Miller wants gay groups not to worry about her appointment

The UK’s newly appointed Culture Secretary is urging gay groups to talk to her before they judge her on her poor voting record on LGBT rights.

Maria Miller was responding to a social networking meme which showed how the new Minister for Women and Equality had voted in the past.