A British bisexual Member of Parliament (MP) has caused controversy in the House of Commons by saying ‘marriage is between a man and a woman’.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said during a discussion on humanist weddings that his religious beliefs influenced his decision on whether to vote for same-sex marriages.

He has tabled an amendment that would separate church and faith-based marriage to the England and Wales equal marriage bill.

Church of England bosses have forced their own leader – Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby – to pull support for straight civil partnerships.

It is part of their official response to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill for England and Wales which the government is currently pushing through the UK parliament and which will be debated again today.

The Church of England is the state religion of Britain and its bishops will have a vote on the legislation when it reaches the House of Lords.

British political party Labour has announced they have abandoned support for a 'wrecking' amendment supporting opposite-sex civil partnerships today (20 May).

Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary and the Shadow Equalities Minister, has announced Labour will table its own amendment.

As outlined on The World At One, she explained the amendment would establish 'an immediate consultation on opposite-sex civil partnerships', which, she said, could begin even before the bill has completed its parliamentary pasage.

Most Britons back same-sex marriage legislation with only a third against.

That's the result of a new poll by YouGov.

It indicated ongoing support for the legislation going through the UK Parliament for the change in England and Wales. Separate legislation is being developed in Scotland.

The survey found 54% of Britons support same sex marriage legislation, with 36% opposed. Among Conservatives, more people oppose the measures than support them but the margin is narrow (48% to 45%).

Veteran LGBT rights advocate, Peter Tatchell said that the UK Equalities Minister, Maria Miller, is wrong to reject heterosexual civil partnerships.

He stated that the ban on heterosexual couples amounts to discrimination and that the minister defies public consultation, which backed straight equality.

‘The government’s decision to oppose the legalization of civil partnerships for heterosexual couples is hugely disappointing.

In the UK, Members of Parliament (MPs) have been debating equal marriage in the Bill’s Committee Stage which will conclude today.

Under the system for England and Wales, the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill passes through this stage where the really detailed review and revision work is done. It will then be reapproved by the House of Commons before moving to a debate and vote in the House of Lords.

Poland's former president believes gay MPs to sit in the back of the room in Parliament, or 'behind a wall'.

According to Polskie Radio, Lech Walesa was expressing his views on same-sex civil partnerships in Poland when he went on a homophobic tangent.

'Homosexuals should sit on the last bench in the plenary hall, or even behind the wall, and not somewhere at the front,' said the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

He added: 'A minority can not impose itself on the majority. They must know they are a minority and adapt themselves to smaller things'.

Acclaimed Polish film director Agnieszka Holland is speaking out against a member of parliament who said she was only concerned about civil partnerships because of her 'lesbian daughter'.

Before Civic Platform, the leading centre-right political party in Poland, got into power the party leader said they would legalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

But when the party became the leading force in government, the party was split and the prime minister backtracked on the promise.

Anti-gay registrars will not be able to opt out of performing same-sex marriages in England and Wales if they object on religious grounds.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has told MPs marriage registrars are public officials and should be required to carry out all civil ceremonies.

A Liberal Democrat member of parliament has put forward two amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) bill.

After the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill by 400-175, it now goes onto a committee stage.

While only 19 MPs are in the committee, others can put forward suggestions.

Julian Huppert, the Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, is supporting opening up civil partnerships for straight people, and allowing humanist weddings in England and Wales.

A Conservative member of parliament has said if the UK government is serious about equality, they should create civil unions that include incestuous relationships.

Sir Roger Gale, who was knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours List, said a way forward in achieving equality would be abolishing civil partnerships and creating a new form of civil union for people of all sexualities.

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.