by Jez Smith Quakers in Britain took another step closer yesterday towards being two-thirds of the way to reaching marriage equality as MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Quakers in Britain welcomed the MPs vote in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, which will change the law in…
“Quakers believe that all committed relationships are equal,” said Paul Parker speaking to BBC Radio Five Live on Saturday morning about the announcement that the UK government will shortly publish its proposals for legalising same-sex marriage. Paul is the recording clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting and therefore often speaks as a representative of Quakers in…
The ‘ninja nun’ who sat next to the world-famous William and Kate at their marriage in Westminster Abbey last week has been revealed to be the daughter of a Quaker… by the Daily Mail. Annaliese Brogden, 52, rose to brief worldwide fame after appearing at the royal marriage on 29/04/2011 wearing trainers (as well as her…
by John Cornes In the summer of 1947 when I was 20 years old and a medical student at King’s College in the Strand I discovered the Westminster Friends Meeting in St Martin’s Lane, and became a regular attender. The meeting house had been destroyed in the blitz and we met in the lobby. It…
Reading Advices and Queries  By John Hall I was recently appointed Assistant Clerk to my local Meeting. One of the jobs is to arrange for a Friend to read an Advice or Query (A&Q – in the latest Book of Discipline they are lumped together) early in the Meetings for Worship that precede the local…
Quakers in Britain have welcomed the government’s announcement, today, 17 February, that civil partnerships will be allowed to be celebrated on some religious premises, if a faith group wishes. This was introduced as part of the Equality Act 2010, section 202. The equalities minister, Lynne Featherstone has revealed that the government will consult on the reform of…
Quakers in Britain are preparing themselves for further action on same-sex marriage this week after a weekend of activity in the national media. Last year, before the change in government, parliament passed the Equality Act, which will allow civil partnerships to be celebrated at some religious premises, if the faith group agrees. Anticipating further progress…
Helen Drewery, general secretary of Quaker Peace & Social Witness, was quoted on Channel 4 news as part of a segment about whether Britain is ready for same-sex marriage. Here is the excerpt: C4: Civil partnerships will soon be allowed in consenting places of worship and consideration will be given by the government as to…
Two Quakers, Kristin Skarsholt and Ian Goggin, are part of the Equal Love campaign, which seeks equality in the law for the marriage of same-sex and different-sex couples.