What is Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013?
The '''Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013''' (c. 30) is an [[Act of Parliament|Act]] passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It legalises [[same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom|same-sex marriage in England and Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0126/cbill_2012-20130126_en_1.htm|title=Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill|publisher=House of Commons|date=25 January 2013|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> After the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 General Election]], in September 2011, [[Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State|Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Equalities]], [[Lynne Featherstone]], announced they would try to make same-sex marriage legal from March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2011/09/lynne-featherstone-mp-announces-government-consultation-on-equal-marriage.htm|title=Lynne Featherstone MP announces government consultation on equal marriage|publisher=lynnefeatherstone.org|date=21 September 2011|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> The [[Legislative session|session]] closed in June 2012 and, in December 2012, the new [[Minister for Women and Equalities]], [[Maria Miller]], announced that the Government would be introducing a law before the next election. She also said that they were trying to get this done within parliament's current session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/consultation-response?view=Binary|title=Equal marriage: The Government's response|publisher=HM Government|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced into Parliament on 24 January 2013. The leaders of the three main political parties in the United Kingdom gave their MPs a [[Conscience vote|free vote]]. This means they would not be made to vote in favour or against it; they could vote however they wanted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/12/17/lib-dem-mp-go