Quakers call for law change on same-sex weddings

Tuesday, 4th August 2009
By Michael Brown

The Quakers, one of the most respected religious movements in the world, reignited debate on same-gender unions last week after agreeing to perform marriage ceremonies for gay couples.

The body, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, already offers religious blessings to couples in civil partnerships.But last Friday, at its annual meeting at York University, the movement -- long seen as a liberal organisation -- opted to extend this to same-sex weddings.

The Friends will now ask the Government to change the law, which does not recognise gay marriage, to allow Quaker registering officers to register same-gender partnerships in the same way as marriages.

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