Perceptions of Equality: The Road to Same-Sex Marriage in England and Wales

This article describes the background to the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales. In analysing the justifications put forward for the various positions held, the article distinguishes between societal reasons, which focus on the structure and nature of social relations, and well-being reasons, which focus on individual wellbeing. The article also distinguishes between those who perceived the goal of equality in terms of the application of identical measures and those who saw it as treating people with equal concern and respect, which demands concern for their well-being.