据BBC报道，在英格兰和威尔士同性婚姻合法化的法案，已经完成了议会立法的程序，将呈送女王签字，有望在本周稍晚生效。

　　保守党、自民党以及工党等三大党均表支持的这个法案生效之后，预料第一场“同志婚礼”将在明年夏天举行。

　　London - Same-sex marriage is now legal in England and Wales following a parliamentary vote on Tuesday and a royal stamp of approval on Wednesday.

　　Queen Elizabeth II gave her Royal Assent on Wednesday following final approval of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act of 2013 by the House of Commons. The Queen's approval was but a formality; the first gay marriages are expected to take place next summer.

　　The historic law allows same-sex couples to wed in civil as well as religious ceremonies in England in Wales, although it explicitly bars the Church of England and the Church of Wales from conducting such weddings. The law also allows couples previously joined in civil partnerships to convert those unions to marriages, with the same rights as mixed-sex couples.

　　The House of Commons approved final changes to the measure on Tuesday, a day after the House of Lords did so.

　　"This is a historic moment that will resonate in many peoples' lives," Equalities Minister Maria Miller, who once voted against gay adoption and fertility treatment for lesbians, declared following the Royal Assent. "I am proud that we have made it happen and I look forward to the first same-sex wedding by next summer."