First published: 2014.

Religion and the legal regulation of homosexual sex -- The boundaries of the family : religion and same-sex parenting -- Religious exemptions from sexual orientation equality -- The secular and the sacred : civil partnership and same-sex marriage -- Homophobic hate speech and freedom of religious expression -- Religion, homosexuality and state education -- Conclusion.

"Law, Religion and Homosexuality provides a systematic and nuanced analysis of how religion has shaped, and continues to shape, legislation that regulates the lives of gay men and lesbians in the United Kingdom. Arguing that religion remains at the heart of the relationship between law and homosexuality, the authors provide an in-depth study of the considerable authority of religion in lawmaking. Through an examination of how religious discourse influences the making of law in the form of official interventions made by faith communities and organizations, as well as by expressions of faith by individual legislators, the book shows how religion continues to be central to both enabling and restricting the development of lesbian and gay legal equality. Whilst some claim that faith has been marginalized in the legislative processes of contemporary western societies, Johnson and Vanderbeck show the significant impact of religion in a number of substantive legal areas relating to sexual orientation. Law, Religion and Homosexuality demonstrates the dynamic interplay between law and religion in respect of homosexuality and will be of considerable interest to a wide audience of academics, policy makers and stakeholders" Provided by publisher.