I know this is the UK, but isn’t there s separation of church & state?
In the U.S. Their is NO Separation of Church and State called for in the constitution. There is simply an understanding that there is no state run religious institution and the State will NOT start and require adherence to a specific religious institution. That, in spite of what the Leftest idiots say, doesn't preclude the idea that a deity exists. As a matter of fact the entire Constitution and Declaration is based on the fact that our rights are given directly by God and can not be denied by any government.
The ‘right’ to marriage IS NOT a Right at all. Marriage is a contractual arraignment that allows for the protection of both the female of the species as well as it's offspring. It requires certain LEGAL qualifications and therefore CAN NOT be a right. Their are certain people who legally CAN NOT marry each other.
No person, regardless of sexual orientation is denied anything that another is also not denied in the realm of marriage. Any gay man can marry any single women who is willing and is available for marriage, IE of legal age, not presently legally married to another man, and not a blood relative.
I may desire to marry a particular super model but the fact that she may not want to marry me, or that we may both already be legally married, DOES NOT constitute discrimination or a denial of fundamental human rights, regardless of how much I want society to condone my personal LUST for that individual.