Why equal marriage should be enshrined in law

Equal Partners revisited: Earlier this year we campaigned for equal marriage. The debate hasn't gone away

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In February of this year we celebrated parliament's vote in favour of equal marriage - the outcome our Equal Partners campaign had fought for. Today, with the possibility that a "wrecking amendment" could delay legislation for two years, and renewed objections from anti-gay marriage MPs, we're revisiting some of the powerful pieces published in the run up to February's historic vote. So here's why we supported - and continue to support - equal marriage:

...It obliterates centuries of state-sanctioned prejudice, by Owen Jones

"It was not the goodwill and generosity of those above that brought us here, but rather the struggle and sacrifice of countless LGBT people."

...It will allow me to marry the man I love, by Elton John

"'Partner' is a word that should be preserved for people you play tennis with, or work alongside in business. It doesn't come close to describing the love that I have for David."

...Our children will grow up in fairer society, by Anna Friel

"My daughter Gracie has been lucky enough to grow up with gay men and women in her life and she will talk about the fact that her god-parents are gay without giving it a second thought."

...In the future we'll look back on the ban as pointless, futile segregation, by Peaches Geldof

"I have had first-hand experience of how wonderful the introduction of gay marriage has been, and how negative and potentially damaging it is to not allow it."

...The UK is lagging behind on this vital issue, by Richard Branson

"Many countries around the world already allow gay people to marry, including Canada, South Africa, Argentina, Sweden and Portugal."

...We are equal in all things or we are not equal at all, by Lance Price

"Marriage struck me as flawed institution at the best of times. But now I passionately want - no demand - to be a member."