Equality charities celebrate as Jersey becomes last Channel Island to legalise gay marriage
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Equality charities are celebrating after gay marriage was finally legalised on the Channel Island of Jersey.
Politicians voted to pass the new marriage laws on Thursday night by a majority of 42-1.
It followed in the footsteps of other British crown dependencies Guernsey, Alderney and the Isle of Man.
The decision leaves Northern Ireland as the only place within the British Isles yet to approve same sex wedding ceremonies.
The historic debate was held over two years after equal marriage was originally agreed in principle by States members in the Jersey government but it has since been bogged down in amendments.
But during the sitting, politicians on the Channel Island also voted by 40 votes to 5 to reject a clause, which would have allowed traders to refuse to serve same-sex couples if it was deemed incompatible with their religious beliefs.
The law now has to go to Privy Council for Royal Assent and it is expected same sex couples will be walking down the aisle in Jersey by this May.
Pressure had been piled on to legislators after more than 5,000 people signed a petition by Jersey LGBT charity Liberate to block the clause.
And speaking after the vote, a Liberate spokesman said: "We live in a democracy and the fact that we are all free to speak is something to be cherished. The debate has been impressive in terms of the number and variety of people it has engaged and in the respect shown by all sides.
"What this proves is that our island is home to diverse groups and communities, who will not always agree on every issue, but that is what makes us stronger.
"It is vital that we can share our views and continue to do so, especially with people we don't agree with, so that we can learn from each other."
(Image: AFP)
The day's debate heard emotional speeches from the island's politicians against the proposed change - many asking why they had the right to approve discrimination against a minority group.
Assistant minister Scott Michael Wickenden said: "What In Christian teaching would prevent a believer partaking in same-sex marriage?
"In modern Christianity this should not be a problem."
Another senator, Philip Ozouf said: "I would ask Members to consider the implications of legalised discrimination.
"Where will this end? This is a slippery slope. We should not go there."
The new law also includes legalising humanist marriage which follows on from a four-year campaign by Humanists UK and its member, States of Jersey Deputy Louise Doublet.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said after the vote: "We're delighted that Jersey has joined Scotland and Ireland in giving legal recognition to humanist marriages.
"And as humanists have performed same-sex wedding ceremonies for many decades, we can't think of a more fitting occasion than at the same time as same-sex marriages become legal too.
"We look forward to marrying many happy couples in the months and years to come."