What Do You Think About the Gay Marriage Vote?

Photo by Jose Antonio Navas

Despite a huge amount of opposing Conservative MPs who appear to have been transplanted from Mel Gibson's Edwardian homophobe guild into present day Britain, the House of Commons passed a bill yesterday approving same-sex marriage in England and Wales. So, great news for particularly religious gays who want to get married in a church and for everyone who thinks equality should be awarded to all, instead of being snatched away from people because they love members of the same sex.

Regardless of the fact most people appear to support the bill, it's still a contentious issue, so we went to Old Compton Street – that street in Soho with all the gay bars on it – to ask some people their opinion. London, what do you think about the gay marriage vote?

Teoh: I think it's great. Equality of gay marriage across the board is important. Fine, there are civil partnerships, but how are gay people supposed to feel about their marriage not being equal to straight marriage? Equality is what we're meant to pride ourselves on in this country.

VICE: Do you think having the ban on gay marriage has caused insecurity among gay people?
I think it can do. Obviously, when you're struggling with your sexuality as a kid, you're not necessarily going to be worried about if you can get married when you grow up. But when you overcome that hurdle, knowing that you can be in a gay couple and be seen the same way as straight couples is important.

Why's it taken so long?
I think it's religion. As much as I'm like, “Go gays!” we should be sensitive to people of faith, because it's an institution and it does mean so much to them. The word marriage has so many different connotations to religions than your average gay couple. Nonetheless, the church has changed and faiths have changed and most practicing Christians don’t follow 100 percent of the Bible, so I think it's getting better.

Beatrice: It's great, because it means I can get married now. Woohoo!

Has the ban affected your life at all up to this point?
No, but I think perhaps it's affected people emotionally in society. Its not directly affected my life, though. I think it's all part of a bigger picture – a kind of institutionalised homophobia. I guess it has affected a lot of things indirectly. And I think how long its taken is quite ridiculous.

Has it made you angry?
Yeah, I've felt quite angry, frustrated and disappointed. But I kind of knew that it was going to come to an end. It's just rather embarrassing, isn’t it? Because it hasn’t happened as quickly as it should have done. But now it's happened, I’m very happy – I’m going to propose to all my friends.

Good luck!

Ramsay:Yeah, I’m against it. I don’t think its right. I think only men and women should get married. That’s it.

Do you think it's possible for a man to love another man?
Loving is possible, yes. But marrying, no. It goes against my beliefs and traditions.

If one of your family members was gay and got married how would you feel?
I wouldn’t be upset. I would have to be OK with it. But it just goes against my opinion and that’s it.

Fair enough.

Rose: I think it’s a really good thing. I’m in favour of it. I think everyone should have the right to marriage, regardless of whether they're gay or not. My mum is really for gay marriage, so she's brought me up believing that.

Why do you think people are anti gay marriage?
I think it's because of how their parents have brought them up. But now that time goes on and we become more open to things, more people are coming out as gay earlier in life, so more people have friends, sons and daughters that are gay, meaning people can’t be anti it much longer.

Ben: I think it’s good. It should be allowed everywhere in Europe, especially because it’s a really modern part of the world. So we should show the rest of the world how it should be. I think there a few of groups with lots of power who have resisted it, which is probably why it’s been so hard to get the law put through. I think in a couple of years – once the older generation have gone – it should be less of a problem than now. Too many people have gay friends and family nowadays, so how can you say no to them?

If you told your mum you were going to marry a guy, what would she say?
I actually did and she was OK with it.

Alright then.

Shane, bartender: I think it’s a really good idea. It means more weddings I can go to and more parties. Plus, there's finally some equality, which is great. Everyone is equal – they're the same marriages, just with different partners. Gay, straight – who cares?

Why has it taken so long?
I think people are just set in their old ways, you know? It's 2013 now. You need to get with the times! Like, I mean, I’ve been to civil marriages, but not in the churches, which is ridiculous. So it'll be great to be able to see my friends get married in these kind of institutions.

Previously - Would You Date Your Dog?