It's a pass

[kat_lair]

***

Equal marriage bill passes Third Reading in House of Lords

I'm feeling unexpectedly emotional about this even though marriage (same- or opposite-sex) is something that is extremely unlikely to ever be of personal consideration.

***

Comments

[darkangel-0410.livejournal.com]

*happy dance* That's awesome :) I felt the same way when California overturned Prop 8 -personally, I don't believe in marriage but everyone deserves the right to decide that for themselves, regardless of who they choose to love.

I'm always happy when I hear news like this, but at the same time, it's like really? 2013 and we're still stuck on shit like this? It's a step forward, of course it is, but it makes me sad that humans are still like this.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Yeah, every time another country legalises it I get the happies. Unfortunately my own, Finland, remains the only Nordic country to not have done it yet :( But at least my adopted country of UK is set to do it. This only needs Royal Assent now and first same-sex weddings could be taking place next spring.

[apiphile.livejournal.com]

Me tooooo, and I have no intention of marrying anyone of any gender. I just really like that now people will be able to. :)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Exactly so. While it is of not much personal significance all I have to think about are the countless people who have wanted to get married to the person they love but haven't been able to, but now they can, and I'm reaching for the tissues.

[apiphile.livejournal.com]

Isn't empathy wonderful? ;)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Sometimes. Sometimes it's just ridiculous. Like just now when it was pointed out that the characters in an original novel I've been co-writing could get married and I legitimately teared up. Oh self.

[apiphile.livejournal.com]

... oh thank god mine's a historical novel.

[pushkin666.livejournal.com]

I've posted about this on my LJ as well. I do feel very much that, irrespective of whether people would want to avail themselves of the new law and get married, they now have the choice. It's up to them who they choose to love and marry, or not. It's been a long time coming.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I saw your post yes :) Yeah it's about choice, isn't it? And how someone chooses to express their commitment to their partner shouldn't be restricted by their gender.

<3

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I've just replied to Nikki's post. I'm thrilled with the news. I just think it sends such a powerful message to public opinion and I hope it has an effect on other countries too. Personally, I don't think marriage is such a wonderful institution but I'm glad people who want to enter it can! I feel quite proud that our legislators are willing to lead the public in this way.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I saw! As I was just there leaving a comment too :D As I was saying above, it's about freedom of personal choice. Marriage as a patriarchal, heteronormative institution is a rant for another day (almost every day of our staff lgbt meeting, there is one person with strong opinions about this *g*) but for now I'm happy that people have that choice and indeed the message it sends to the public.

[margaret-r.livejournal.com]

I was really happy to read about this! It's wonderful to see so many strides towards marriage equality. Maybe, just maybe, Oz will start to follow but it's going to be a very hard slog.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed on Australia and other countries following example. I've been smiling about this randomly ever since I heard :)

[ekaterinn.livejournal.com]

Oh, awesome! I will probably never get married, but I'll love the chance to (and can't in my current location).

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Change is catching. Hopefully it gets there soon. *huggles*

[teithiwr.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I feel the same way - suspect marriage will never be a thing I'll want to do, but I want it to be possible for everyone who does want it! I was getting so emotional earlier this year when the Tahdon2013 kansalaisaloite got over 50 000 signatures in 24h.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Did something ever came out of that campaign? I've been trying to keep an eye on the news but haven't seen anything since, just the fact that it was delivered.

[teithiwr.livejournal.com]

They're still collecting names for as long as they can (till September I think), just to make the PTB convinced that no, really, a LOT of people want equal marriage to be a thing. There's currently over 150 000 signatures, and 50 000 is the minimum number for the proposal to be valid.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh okay, that's cool :D