Lawmakers in Britain OK Gay Sex Bill
LONDON — Britain’s lower house of Parliament approved a bill Thursday reducing the age of consent for gay sex by two years, to 16, throwing down a challenge to the upper house, which rejected the legislation last year.
The House of Commons backed the reform--which would equalize gay and heterosexual ages of consent--in a 263-102 “free vote†that allowed lawmakers to decide according to their consciences rather than along party lines.
It was the second time in just over a year that lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the change. Last year, their first attempt was frustrated when members of the House of Lords voted the bill down.
The Labor government says the law is needed to meet European rights obligations.
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