Anglican clerics back gay marriages in church

Clerics from the Anglican church in England on Tuesday called for an end to rules that stop gay couples marrying in religious venues such as churches or synagogues.

In a letter to the Times, they said the civil partnership act -- which allows same-sex couples to tie the knot -- is discriminatory as it denies homosexual partners the same choices as straight ones.

"Straight couples have the choice between civil marriage and religious marriage," said the clerics' letter.

"Gay couples are denied a similar choice.

"To deny people of faith the opportunity of registering the most important promise of their lives in their willing church or synagogue, according to its liturgy, is plainly discriminatory."

Waheed Alli, the first openly gay member of the House of Lords, will propose an amendment to equality legislation currently being debated, which would allow gay marriages on religious premises.

It would also remove the ban on religious language in the civil partnership ceremony, the newspaper said.