The Government has launched its consultation on equal civil marriage for same sex couples in England and Wales (Scotland was consulted separately).
In the consultation document the Government states its proposal to:
• enable same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies.
• retain civil partnerships for same-sex couples
• allow transsexual people to change their legal gender without having to legally end their existing marriage or civil partnership.
Same-sex couples who already have a civil partnership will be able to 'upgrade' to a civil marriage.