Gay marriage to become legal in England and Wales

Britain's lower house of parliament voted Tuesday to pass a measure legalizing gay marriage in England and Wales.

The measure now requires the signature of Queen Elizabeth II, a formality that will take place later this week, lawmakers say.

"It's impossible to express how much joy this historic step will bring to tens of thousands of gay people and their families and friends," Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, a gay rights group, said in a statement. "The bill's progress through Parliament shows that, at last, the majority of politicians in both Houses understand the public's support for equality, though it's also reminded us that gay people still have powerful opponents."