Same Sex Marriage Bill 2013

I've just lobbied to my MP on the Same Sex Marriage Bill that is approaching its 3rd reading in the House of Commons, on the date of my 22nd birthday. We need to do all we can to help push this through. This is the e-mail I sent to Richard Fuller MP (Member of Parliament for Bedford and Kempston)

Dear Richard,

I am e-mailing you today to outline my thoughts on the same-sex marriage bill. I wrote to you after the vote on February 5th to ask you to outline your reasons for abstaining in that vote. Hopefully, my thoughts will help towards you voting for the Same Sex marriage bill on 20th May this time around.

Monday 20th May is the day of my 22nd birthday, almost 4 years to the day that I "came out" for the first time to my best friend, at a birthday party. The fear of his reaction is still a feeling I have not forgotten, although he wholeheartedly accepted my sexuality without question or condition. Since then, I have come out to everyone in my life and am open about my sexuality, and I am proud that I have been able to do so. One day, I hope I am able to marry the man I love and I simply cannot see the reasoning behind being against that notion. In my view, the majority of people opposing the bill are using religious and social reasons to hide their homophobia in a society that claims it is increasingly accepting of all.

I understand that the re-definition of "marriage" was a major reason why some voted against the Same Sex Marriage Bill in February, claiming that the definition is between a man and a woman. I do not understand why we can't simply change the definition. They claim that civil partnerships "should be enough" for homosexuals, which I cannot disagree with enough. There is a simple inequality there, that I think is being over-complicated by social issues that do not exist anymore. The wording of "civil partnership" makes my potential relationship different from "marriage". That is a fact. However, I do agree that civil partnerships, aswell as marriage, should be made available to everyone, regardless of sexuality. Equality is a two-way street after all.

Re-defining a social institution is nothing new. A minimum age requirement was introduced in 1753, civil marriage in 1836 and from 1949 only those over 16 could marry. I reiterate my belief that this latest fighting against re-definition is cloaked homophobia.

Although I am not religious myself, (I am an atheist), I do respect that religious institutions may not want to carry out same sex marriages. This is fine, but the argument that the ECHR may force them to doesn't stack up. Other European countries have not been forced, and we have the added bonus of not having to follow ECHR rulings. This argument cannot be used against the same-sex marriage bill, and I would like to see you stand up in the Commons and outline this.

About a week ago, I received a leaflet through the post claiming that same-sex marriage is not popular, even amongst the homosexual community. Proof that the propaganda that the anti-LGBT community use to spread their message is false, is that public opinion is largely in favour of same-sex marriage, as the following statistics below show:

- 62% in support (ICM for The Guardian 26 December 2012)

- 60% in support (Survation for The Mail on Sunday 15 December 2012)

- 73% in support (IPSOS MORI 8-9 December 2012)

- 53% in support (YouGov 9-10 May 2013)

Supporting the Same Sex Marriage Bill is the right thing to do. We live in a world that claims it is accepting, but I feel there is an underlying fear of equality that is still potent in our society. If the people we elect into parliament in our country can help change that feeling and help Planet Earth step into a new age of acceptance, then I feel we can help spread the love. After watching the passing of a similar bill in New Zealand that brought a tear to my eye, I really hope the Commons can do the same.

Kind Regards

Thomas Carr

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I do appreciate it isn't an issue for 90% of the population. But for me, and other LGBT people, it is an issue of the upmost importance. If you do believe that love should be equal, let your MP know about it! Get involved and campaign for equal marriage, across the board. The world is better when we all love and help each other.