This weekend is an important moment for our country. For the first time, the couples getting married won’t just include men and women – but men and men; and women and women. After all the campaigning we will at last have equal marriage in our country. Put simply, in Britain it will no longer matter whether you are straight or gay¹ – the State will recognise your relationship as equal.

这个周末对我们国家来说是重大时刻。第一次，结婚不再是异性的特权，同性也可以结婚。几经波折之后，英国终于实现了平等婚姻。简而言之，英国将不再管你是同性恋还是异性恋——国家将承认你们的关系是平等的。

This is something that has been very important to me. I have been so lucky to find the most incredible² lifelong partner in Sam and our marriage has been a very special part of the commitment³ we have made to each other. Of course any marriage takes work, requires patience and understanding, give and take – but what it gives back in terms of love, support, stability⁴ and happiness is immeasurable. That is not something that the State should ever deny someone on the basis of their sexuality. When people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.

对我个人来说，这也是意义非凡的。能找到萨曼莎做我的终生伴侣，我很幸运。在我们对彼此许下的誓言中，婚姻是其中很特别的一项。当然，任何婚姻都需要用心经营，需要耐心、理解、索取和给予。但婚姻所回馈的爱、支持、坚定和幸福是无法估量的。一个国家不应只因为性取向而否定一个人。当相爱的人被法律分开，那就应该是法律需要被修改。

The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance⁵ and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight or gay. That is so important in trying to create an environment where people are no longer bullied⁶ because of their sexuality – and where they can realise their potential.

同性婚姻合法化也说明了英国是怎样的一个国家。令英国为之骄傲的尊敬、宽容、平等的传统将一直延续。这同时也为那些不确定自己性向的年轻人传递了一个有力信息：无论你是同性恋还是异性恋，都会得到公平的对待。这对减少对同性恋的欺辱，发挥同性恋者的潜力也是至关重要的。

Together we should be proud to live in a country judged to be the best place to live in Europe if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. But we should equally be far from complacent⁷ about the challenges that remain – and I am just as committed as ever to working with you to challenge attitudes and stamp-out homophobic bullying⁸ and hate crimes.

能被评为欧洲最适合同性恋、双性恋以及变性人群体生活的国家，我们应该感到骄傲。但我们也不能因此沾沾自喜，因为前路仍然充满挑战。我承诺将会一如既往地同大家一起应对挑战，消除因歧视同性恋而导致的欺凌和仇恨态度及犯罪行为。

We are a nation that is growing stronger economically because of our long term economic plan. But I hope we can also be a country that is growing stronger socially because we value love and commitment equally. Let us raise a toast to that – and all those getting married this weekend.

英国的经济因为有了长远的规划得到了强有力的发展。但是我同样希望英国社会也能够如此，因为我们对爱和承诺的重视程度是一样的。让我们一起为同性婚姻的实现以及这周即将步入婚姻的情侣们举杯庆祝。