Sentences with phrase «ceremonies of gay couples»

Late last month Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley issued a memo which stated that chaplains may officiate the marriage and civil union ceremonies of gay couples in states where it's legal, including those taking place on military installations.

Not exact matches

Supporters of the amendment expressed irritation when culture secretary Maria Miller said it could function as a «wrecking amendment» to the gay marriage bill — an accusation she last used yesterday, albeit with more justification, on demands for civil ceremonies for heterosexual couples.

Although the law comes into effect today, the first legally - permitted gay ceremonies will not be carried out until December 21st, because of the requirement for couples to give notice to registry offices.

However, unlike in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, gay couples in Britain will not hold the legal title of marriage, and only sign exclusively civil documents, rather than exchange spoken words in a civil or religious ceremony.

Since many religions do not approve of same - sex marriages, many gay and lesbian couples would not have access to the institution of marriage unless they were able to call on a marriage commissioner to perform the required ceremony.