Equal marriage legislation passed by Jersey politicians

Equal marriage legislation has been passed by the States of Jersey with politicians voting 42 votes to 1, with one abstention.

Earlier, States members voted by 40 votes to 5 to reject a clause in equal marriage legislation which would have allowed traders to refuse to serve same-sex couples if it was deemed incompatible with their religious beliefs.

States members spent the day debating the amendment put forward by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel as a result of views sought whilst reviewing the wide-ranging legislation put forward by the Chief Minister.

The debate was held over 2 years after equal marriage was originally agreed in principle by States members and will now see the plans become law, allowing same-sex couples to get married for the first time.

Jersey follows in the footsteps of the Guernsey, Alderney and the Isle of Man in approving same-sex marriage.