Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales won passage Tuesday in the House of Commons . The vote was 366 for , 161 against . The bill now goes to the House of Lords , where it will face further opposition . A rebellion within Prime Minister David Cameron 's Conservative Party threatened to derail the bill . Tuesday brought the second day of discussions on the legislation . Members of Parliament voted Monday on a series of amendments to the Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Bill . Cameron backs the bill but his commitment to it has put him at odds with many in his own party and its grassroots supporters . The Conservatives govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats . The bill was kept on track Monday thanks to the support of members of the opposition Labour Party , who voted to oppose an amendment that many Conservative rebels backed . Same-sex marriage : Who will legalize it next ? The amendment , which was put forward by MP Tim Loughton , proposed extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples as well as same-sex couples . Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller , the sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill , argued that this would result in significant expense and delay , thus derailing the whole bill . Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted Monday : `` David Cameron 's inability to control his party must not be allowed to wreck the Equal Marriage Bill . Labour 's commitment unwavering . '' A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004 . The Church of England is among the religious bodies opposed to the new legislation . The issue of same-sex marriage has exposed painful divisions within Cameron 's party , with many lawmakers already fractious over his position on Europe . Under pressure , Cameron 's government last week published a draft bill promising a referendum by 2017 on Britain 's membership of the European Union . The Conservative Party faces a political threat from the UK Independence Party , which has vowed to take Britain out of Europe . Controversy has also blown up following weekend UK media reports that quoted a senior ally of Cameron describing party activists as `` swivel-eyed loons . '' In an effort to dampen the flames , Cameron sent an e-mail late Monday to party supporters , according to UK media reports , saying he was proud of their work and would `` never have around me those who sneered '' at them . Same-sex marriage around the world . The issue of same-sex marriage has also prompted wide disagreement elsewhere . On Saturday , French President Francois Hollande signed into law a bill allowing marriage and adoption for same-sex couples despite vocal opposition from many conservatives and the Catholic Church . The step made France the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage . If Uruguay and New Zealand enact legislation approved by their lawmakers as expected , the count of nations worldwide allowing same-sex marriage will rise to 14 . The first same-sex couples walked down the aisle in the Netherlands in 2001 , with others following suit in Canada , South Africa , Belgium and Spain . Argentina was the first Latin American nation to legalize such marriages , in 2010 . Other countries on the list are Denmark , Iceland , Norway , Portugal and Sweden . Many countries remain split over the issue . A Brazilian court this week issued a directive removing a barrier that had limited same-sex marriage , but no bill has made it through Congress . In the United States , the question went before the Supreme Court and justices are deliberating over the matter . Twelve U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage . On the other side , many states have specific laws blocking same-sex couples from legally marrying . UK lawmakers approve same-sex marriage in first vote . New Zealand 's Parliament votes to legalize same-sex marriage .
House of Commons approves same - sex marriage . PM David Cameron backs the bill , but many in his party oppose it . He is also under pressure from party members over Britain 's role in Europe . The Church of England is among religious groups opposed to same - sex marriage .