BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT

It's official — gay marriage is now legal in England and Wales after Queen Elizabeth

II gave it her royal stamp of approval Wednesday morning.

The bill allowing same-sex marriages cleared its last hurdle in Parliament Tuesday. The

House of Commons approved minor changes made by the House of Lords after a two-hour debate.

(Via Los Angeles Times)

The marriage bill was then sent to the Queen — her signature is a formality in the UK

— and she gave the go-ahead to make the bill law. (Via euronews)

Prime Minister David Cameron backed the bill, but his support divided his Conservative Party

and its supporters, and many in his own party criticized him for being too liberal. (Via

YouTube)

According to BBC, one Conservative lawmaker put it this way: "astonishing that a bill

for which there is absolutely no mandate, against which a majority of Conservatives

voted, has been bulldozed through both Houses."

The new law enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, and

it will allow couples who previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationships

to marriage. (Via Today)

British Labor Party politician Chris Bryant, who himself is gay, tweeted, "The Queen has

given Royal Assent to Same Sex Marriage. Aggressive homosexuals, please note. Go forth and propose."

(Via Twitter)

But the Church of England — which opposes gay marriage — is still barred from conducting

them. Other religious organizations can "opt-in" to performing the ceremonies. (Via Fox News)

The first same-sex wedding in Britain could take place as early as next summer. Marriage

for same-sex couples is already legal in France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal.