London ( CNN ) -- A bill to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales passed the British House of Commons on Tuesday , clearing the way for it to go before Queen Elizabeth II for royal approval before the end of the week . With the queen 's approval -- a formality in the UK -- the first same-sex wedding could be held as early as next summer . The Marriage Bill , as it was known , had the support of Prime Minister David Cameron , but his commitment has put him at odds with many in his Conservative Party and its grass-roots supporters . The Conservatives govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats . `` The title of this bill might be marriage but its fabric is about freedom and respect , '' Culture Secretary Maria Miller said shortly after the bill 's passage . She said the passage of the bill was `` clear affirmation that as a nation respect for each and every person is paramount regardless of age , religion , gender , ethnicity or sexuality . '' Same-sex marriage : Who will legalize it next ? Opposition Labour Party lawmakers helped the Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Bill stay on track when Conservative rebels backed an amendment that might have derailed it at an earlier stage in the Commons . On Monday , Lord Alli said he was proud as a gay man serving in the House of Lords to have seen it pass the bill . `` My life and the lives of many others will be better today than they were yesterday , '' he said . But an opponent of the bill , Lord Framlingham , said that while the legislation would make many people very happy , the House of Lords should `` give some consideration to a much larger number of people , running into millions , whose lives will be less happy and whose concerns and problems will be increased by this legislation . '' He said the House of Lords had been used to `` to bulldoze through an ill-thought-through bill , the ramifications of which the people have not begun to understand . '' Here 's what you need to know about same-sex marriage in the U.S. and worldwide . Coalition for Marriage , an umbrella group of UK people and organizations that support traditional marriage between a man and a woman , has collected more than 650,000 signatures on a petition opposing any attempt to redefine it . The Church of England is among the religious bodies opposed to the new legislation . Stonewall , a gay rights campaign group , welcomed the bill 's passage through the Lords on Monday . `` It 's impossible to express how much joy this historic step will bring to tens of thousands of gay people and their families and friends , '' Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said in an online statement . `` The bill 's progress through Parliament shows that , at last , the majority of politicians in both Houses understand the public 's support for equality , though it 's also reminded us that gay people still have powerful opponents . '' He said Stonewall would now redouble its efforts in Scotland `` so that every single gay person in Britain will soon enjoy full equality . '' A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004 . The issue of same-sex marriage has also divided other nations . A law that allows same-sex couples to marry and adopt was passed by France this year , despite large street protests and vocal opposition from religious groups . The move made it the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage . In the United States , two landmark rulings by the Supreme Court last month gave the gay and lesbian rights movement huge political and legal momentum . By the numbers : Same-sex marriage . The justices said legally married same-sex couples will now enjoy the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples , striking down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act . And although not granting a sweeping right of gays and lesbians to marry nationwide , a separate high court ruling effectively allows same-sex marriage to resume in California , the nation 's most populous state .
NEW : The House of Commons approves amendments to the bill . The legislation cleared the House of Lords on Monday . `` My life and the lives of many others will be better today than they were yesterday , '' says lord . In a statement released after the vote, Mr Cameron said he was "delighted" by the result.