MP will support gay marriage in House of Commons vote (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond will support gay marriage in House of Commons vote

3:30pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

Wimbledon’s MP, Stephen Hammond, will be supporting gay marriage in this afternoon's House of Commons vote.

Mr Hammond, a Christian who has been married for more than 20 years, confirmed which way he would be voting by writing on his website yesterday.

In his statement he said he did not believe gay marriage would undermine the "protective environment for the procreation of children" recognising many marriages are entered into without the intention of children.

He also said he believed the bill would protect religious freedoms with same sex religious ceremonies only taking place if the governing body for that religion had given its consent.

An extract from his statement read: "Marriage is a very conservative institution and one which Conservatives in particular ought to want to share with everyone.

"It promotes stability in loving relationships, and marriage binds people together.

"When entered into voluntarily, it is an act of love which demonstrates both to the couple involved and to wider society that they are stronger together and stay together.

"When times are bad, it offers a reminder that, although the grass may seem greener on the other side of the fence, we shouldn't abandon each other lightly - instead we should think back on our lives lived together and find a way through.

"In the 21st century do we really want to discriminate and deny access to this?"

If passed, the bill would amend the 1955 marriage act, inserting a definition of marriage defined as ‘the union of 2 people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity’.

To read his full statement click here.