Falcetta, Silvia orcid.org/0000-0001-5275-6940, Johnson, Paul James orcid.org/0000-0001-6391-7906 and Vanderbeck, Robert M (2021) The Experience of Religious Same-Sex Marriage in England and Wales:Understanding the Opportunities and Limits Created by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family. ebab003. ISSN 1464-3707
Abstract
Following the enactment of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, same-sex couples in England and Wales have the same opportunities as different-sex couples to marry by way of a civil ceremony. However, same-sex couples who wish to marry by way of a religious ceremony are at a significant disadvantage to different-sex couples because only a small number of religious organisations, and a tiny number of places of worship, permit same-sex marriage. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, this article provides the first analysis of the experiences of same-sex couples who have married in a certified place of worship that has been registered for same-sex marriage. We argue that these experiences are shaped in complex ways within an environment in which same-sex religious marriage is lawful but nevertheless difficult to access. The analysis examines the experiences of couples at different stages of the marriage process, including the decision to have a religious marriage, seeking a place of worship, and negotiating the form of the ceremony. We show how many couples, unable to marry within the religious traditions with which they are most familiar, are effectively ‘funnelled’ towards particular traditions about which they have little prior knowledge. The article offers a unique insight into how English marriage law sustains faith-based discrimination against same-sex couples, and how some couples are able to overcome this.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2021. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details |
Keywords: | Discrimination,Equality,LGBT,Marriage,Sexual orientation |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Sociology (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 20 Jan 2021 11:00 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 17:17 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/ebab003 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/lawfam/ebab003 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:170254 |
Download
Filename: Religious_Same_Sex_Marriage_Accepted_version.pdf
Description: Religious Same-Sex Marriage_Accepted version