The Liberal Democrats will use their first party conference in Government to push a vote to make full ‘same-sex marriage’ official party policy.
The motion also calls for the law to allow heterosexual couples to remain married if a transsexual spouse legally changes their sex by gaining a gender recognition certificate.
Senior figures in the party admit the controversial move could be contentious when it is debated in Liverpool next month but press reports claim it is certain to pass.
Redefine
But redefining marriage and enforcing it throughout society could cause a surge in litigation against those groups and individuals who hold to the traditional definition of marriage.
Faith based adoption agencies have already been crushed by ‘equality’ laws because of their ethical stance on homosexual conduct.
And schools may be forced to teach children that there is no moral difference between same-sex marriage and heterosexual marriage.
Division
A Liberal Democrat source told the Independent on Sunday: “There will undoubtedly be some people that will speak against it, especially from the various religious groups. But this is something that the party as a whole has been calling for. It will be a key issue for us in defining ourselves against the Tories.”
Homosexual Lib Dem MP Stephen Gilbert, who is supporting the motion, said: “The Liberal Democrats have long fought for LGBT equality and were the first party with a gay rights policy. With the support of Stonewall we were also the first party to introduce a Civil Partnership Bill. And now I hope we can continue this record and become the first party to officially support full marriage equality.”
Last month bisexual deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes, predicted that full same-sex marriage will be legalised before the next general election.
Prediction
He made his remarks in a video interview with Yoosk, a website on which users can question important public figures.
Existing laws allow homosexual couples to have a civil partnership, but Mr Hughes said there is now a consultation to look at how it can be taken to the next stage.
In February Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, voiced his support for redefining marriage.
Support
Before the General Election George Osborne, who is now the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said David Cameron the Conservative leader would be “very happy” to consider changing the law to allow full same-sex marriage.
But in May Mr Cameron told Sky News that he had no immediate plans to legalise full ‘homosexual marriage’.