Ban Lifted On Gay Weddings In Synagogues
Gay parade in Tel Aviv
A ban on gay Jewish weddings in synagogues has been lifted after the House of Lords decided to amend a parliamentary bill.
On Tuesday night peers voted by a majority of 74 to amend the Equality Bill, in order to allow religious institutions to hold civil partnership ceremonies.
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Liberal Jewish synagogues previously hosted religious commitment ceremonies for same sex couples, but these were not acknowledged under UK law.
The amendment will not compel synagogues to marry gay couples but will legalise the commitment ceremonies performed in religious institutions, such as Liberal Jewish synagogues.
The amendment, which was proposed by Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli, will also lift the ban on religious language being used in these ceremonies.
The amendment has not yet been approved by the House of Commons but it is unlikely MPs will insist on any significant changes.
Liberal Jewish rabbis welcomed the move, saying the law would allow same sex couples to have identical rights as heterosexual couples within the Liberal Jewish community and enable them to celebrate their commitments as they wish.
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, the acting head of Liberal Judaism's Rabbinic Conference, told the Jewish News: "I'm obviously absolutely delighted. This gives synagogues the freedom to choose for themselves as to whether they perform the civil partnership ceremonies alongside same sex commitment ceremonies.
"It is another step towards equality for gay and lesbian people within English law and Liberal Judaism is proud to be supporting that process."
Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.
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