<p>The move would lift the ban on religious ceremonies for the registration of gay unions imposed when Britain legalised civil partnerships six years ago.<br /><br />The government may also propose scrapping the legal definition of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, allowing gay men and women to call their partners husbands or wives, the Sunday Times said.<br /><br />Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone will launch a consultation on the issue soon.<br />Critics say restricting homosexuals to civil partnerships rather than marriage is a form of discrimination. If passed into law the plan would bring Britain closer to countries such as the Netherlands and Canada where gays can legally marry.</p>
<p>The move would lift the ban on religious ceremonies for the registration of gay unions imposed when Britain legalised civil partnerships six years ago.<br /><br />The government may also propose scrapping the legal definition of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, allowing gay men and women to call their partners husbands or wives, the Sunday Times said.<br /><br />Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone will launch a consultation on the issue soon.<br />Critics say restricting homosexuals to civil partnerships rather than marriage is a form of discrimination. If passed into law the plan would bring Britain closer to countries such as the Netherlands and Canada where gays can legally marry.</p>