“I am delighted that the British Parliament has voted in favour of the bill which will allow same‑sex couples in England and Wales to get married. I hope that similar legislation will soon be introduced in Scotland and Northern Ireland, too, making same‑sex marriages possible all across Britain.

The new legislation in England and Wales is an encouraging signal for equality and against discrimination. In the 21st century, it must no longer make any difference whether a person is gay, lesbian or heterosexual. We all have the same rights and freedoms, regardless of our sexual orientation. Our society is as colourful as the rainbow, and I think that’s a good thing.

This is why I feel the British bill should spur on German policymakers and German society. Now that taxation rules applying to married couples in Germany have recently been extended to same‑sex partnerships, we should in turn take the final steps to give all couples entirely equal status. German legislation should therefore be amended to include the same rights to adoption and marriage for everyone to reflect the reality of today’s society.”