Age of Consent Lowered for Gays

After three defeats in the House of Lords, Britain’s Labor government resorted to rarely used powers to pass legislation lowering the age of consent for homosexuals from 18 to 16. House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he was invoking the Parliament Act to force through a bill that makes the age of consent the same for homosexuals and heterosexuals. It became law after being given royal assent. The Parliament Act was created to ensure that the will of the country’s elected lawmakers prevails. The bill was denounced by opposition Conservatives and religious leaders.