Bethany England, Tottenham striker and member of the victorious Lionesses squad at the 2022 Euros and 2023 Women’s World Cup, is set to marry her fiancée Steph Williams next year. England reflects on how much has changed in the UK since same-sex marriage was legalised 10 years ago, around the time she realised she was gay. She is one of many gay female footballers, but the couple still cannot get married in most churches.
The Church of England still defines marriage as between one man and one woman, meaning its officials cannot legally marry gay couples unless the definition changes or individual churches opt to offer same-sex weddings. Religious organisations were not included in the 2014 legalisation and had to choose to opt-in to marry same-sex couples if they wished to.
Although it is not for England, she says it is “a shame there’s still so much work to be done” before more LGBTQ+ people can marry in ceremonies that reflect their faith. England has had mixed experiences since realising she was gay and says her family were “amazing” when she came out to them.
Despite feeling acceptance on the pitch, England and Williams still do not hold hands in the street because “there’s just people staring all the time”, and have had to face homophobic comments online. England says some of the abusive comments online have a religious aspect, but she is “very happy in who I am and who I’m with and I’ve no shame in that any more
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