Aust tops gay weddings in UK consulates

Australia is the leading destination for British gay couples planning to marry outside their own country.

Legislation allowing same-sex marriages in England and Wales was approved in July 2013, with the first weddings taking place in March 2014.

Same-sex marriage services in British consulates have been available to British nationals in 24 countries after an order came into effect in June 2014.

"The number of marriages performed in each country is as follows: Australia 120; Cambodia 3; China 10; Colombia 2; Dominican Republic 1; Japan 7; Philippines 5; Seychelles 1; Vietnam 5," said Foreign Office minister James Duddridge, in response to a written parliamentary question.

Other locations where British missions offer the service include Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Mongolia and Russia.

The opportunity is restricted to places where British gay couples are unable to marry under local law and where the local authorities have given permission for consular marriages of same-sex couples to be conducted.