The Church is trying to undo years of LGBT+ progress

Justin Welby has the power to bless same-sex marriages but still chooses not to (PA)

- PETER MCGRAITH

"Justin Welby has influence over Anglicans in the UK and around the world, so what he says and does matters. As one-half of the first gay couple to be legally married in the UK, I have an interest in the debate within the Church of England on the blessing of same-sex marriages.

One could flippantly say "who cares?" to the Archbishop of Canterbury's refusal to bless same-sex marriages. We already have the opportunity to marry here in the UK, should we wish. But that's not the point.

Justin Welby has influence over Anglicans in the UK and around the world, so what he says and does matters. As one-half of the first gay couple to be legally married in the UK, I have an interest in the debate within the Church of England on the blessing of same-sex marriages.

As a humanist, I am disappointed by Welby's decision not to bless the marriages of lesbian and gay Anglicans. The Church of England, as the established church in this country, has a special relationship with the state, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's views have sway around the Commonwealth and beyond. The Church's teachings and practices are intertwined with the laws and policies of the country.

This is an anomalous situation, as the population is overwhelmingly non-Anglican and society's attitudes towards LGBT+ rights have evolved significantly. Yet the Lords Spiritual have 26 votes in our unelected upper chamber of parliament.