Nick Clegg: Freedom to love is a fundamental right
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats
Please find a transcript below
"I've always been very clear on this: love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution should be the same too.
"All couples should be able to make that commitment to one another, regardless of who they love.
"I fought for equal marriage before I was in Government, and I'm even more committed to making it happen now - as a Liberal Democrat and as Deputy Prime Minister.
"We brought forward our proposals; they have provoked a heated debate.
"But these are proposals about when and how to open up civil marriage to gay and lesbian couples. It's not a matter of 'if' anymore.
"And to those who are worried about some of the opposition to this move or the tone of the debate, let me just say, whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or straight: your freedom to love who you choose is a fundamental right in a liberal society - and you will always have our support. That's why I'm Out4Marriage."