Prominent Figures Call on Labour for Humanist Wedding Recognition – Renowned TV personalities Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig have issued an impassioned plea to the Labour Party. They are urging legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales if Labour wins the upcoming general election. As patrons of Humanists UK, the duo previously made similar demands to the government last year, backed by various LGBTQ+ groups.
Understanding Humanist Weddings
Humanist weddings are non-religious ceremonies. Within the United Kingdom, they are only legally recognized in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. Couples opting for humanist weddings in England and Wales must undergo an additional civil ceremony to be legally married, incurring significant financial and administrative burdens.
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Census Figures Highlight Need for Change
The open letter to Labour leader Keir Starmer cited recent census statistics revealing that 63% of individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual indicated ‘No religion.’ Toksvig and Fry argue this underscores the unacceptable current state of affairs denying legal recognition to humanist marriages in England and Wales.
“If the UK wants to be a global leader in promoting LGBTQ+ freedoms, it must recognize humanist marriages in England and Wales,” the letter stated.
Humanists UK Lends Support
Humanists UK chief executive Andrew Copson echoed the call, stating, “Legal recognition of humanist marriages would benefit couples, marriage, and the economy. It would strengthen freedom of religion or belief and align England and Wales with Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is what the public wants and is long overdue.”
“Legal recognition of humanist marriages would be good for couples, good for marriage and good for the economy. It would strengthen freedom of religion or belief and level England and Wales up to Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is what the public wants and it is long overdue.” – Andrew Copson, Humanists UK chief executive
Relevance to LGBTQ+ Community
The census figures cited highlight the significant portion of the LGBTQ+ community that identifies as non-religious. Granting legal recognition to humanist marriages would address a longstanding issue for this demographic, aligning with the UK’s stated commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ freedoms globally.
