This weekend is an important moment for our country. For the first time, the couples getting married won’t just include men and women – but men and men; and women and women. After all the campaigning we will at last have equal marriage in our country. Put simply, in Britain it will no longer matter whether you are straight or gay – the State will recognise your relationship as equal.
這個周末對我們國家來說是重大時刻。第一次,結(jié)婚不再是異性的特權(quán),同性也可以結(jié)婚。幾經(jīng)波折之后,英國終于實現(xiàn)了平等婚姻。簡而言之,英國將不再管你是同性戀還是異性戀——國家將承認你們的關(guān)系是平等的。
This is something that has been very important to me. I have been so lucky to find the most incredible lifelong partner in Sam and our marriage has been a very special part of the commitment we have made to each other. Of course any marriage takes work, requires patience and understanding, give and take – but what it gives back in terms of love, support, stability and happiness is immeasurable. That is not something that the State should ever deny someone on the basis of their sexuality. When people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.
對我個人來說,這也是意義非凡的。能找到薩曼莎做我的終生伴侶,我很幸運。在我們對彼此許下的誓言中,婚姻是其中很特別的一項。當(dāng)然,任何婚姻都需要用心經(jīng)營,需要耐心、理解、索取和給予。但婚姻所回饋的愛、支持、堅定和幸福是無法估量的。一個國家不應(yīng)只因為性取向而否定一個人。當(dāng)相愛的人被法律分開,那就應(yīng)該是法律需要被修改。
The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight or gay. That is so important in trying to create an environment where people are no longer bullied because of their sexuality – and where they can realise their potential.
同性婚姻合法化也說明了英國是怎樣的一個國家。令英國為之驕傲的尊敬、寬容、平等的傳統(tǒng)將一直延續(xù)。這同時也為那些不確定自己性向的年輕人傳遞了一個有力信息:無論你是同性戀還是異性戀,都會得到公平的對待。這對減少對同性戀的欺辱,發(fā)揮同性戀者的潛力也是至關(guān)重要的。
Together we should be proud to live in a country judged to be the best place to live in Europe if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. But we should equally be far from complacent about the challenges that remain – and I am just as committed as ever to working with you to challenge attitudes and stamp-out homophobic bullying and hate crimes.
能被評為歐洲最適合同性戀、雙性戀以及變性人群體生活的國家,我們應(yīng)該感到驕傲。但我們也不能因此沾沾自喜,因為前路仍然充滿挑戰(zhàn)。我承諾將會一如既往地同大家一起應(yīng)對挑戰(zhàn),消除因歧視同性戀而導(dǎo)致的欺凌和仇恨態(tài)度及犯罪行為。
We are a nation that is growing stronger economically because of our long term economic plan. But I hope we can also be a country that is growing stronger socially because we value love and commitment equally. Let us raise a toast to that – and all those getting married this weekend.
英國的經(jīng)濟因為有了長遠的規(guī)劃得到了強有力的發(fā)展。但是我同樣希望英國社會也能夠如此,因為我們對愛和承諾的重視程度是一樣的。讓我們一起為同性婚姻的實現(xiàn)以及這周即將步入婚姻的情侶們舉杯慶祝。