But nine politicians – including one minister – either voted against, abstained or were mysteriously out of the Chamber when the vote was cast.
Just weeks after Jersey’s first ever Pride festival that saw thousands take to the streets to demonstrate for equality, yesterday’s landmark decision means that gay couples will be allowed to tie the knot, but that individual churches and clergy will be allowed to “opt out” of performing the ceremonies.
Agreement was also reached on further reforms of marriage laws so that unmarried fathers named on birth certificates will have legal responsibilities for to their children, and that a mediation process will be a legal requirement for divorce and dissolutions of marriages.
The main proposition about allowing gay marriage – which will come into force nearly three years after the change was approved in the UK – was taken through the States by Chief Minister Ian Gorst. He was initially against the move, but came around to what he told the Assembly yesterday was an important step for equality.
But not all Members thought so.
Of the 49 States Members, four voted against the move (St Martin Constable Michel Le Troquer, Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur and Deputies Andrew Lewis and Richard Renouf), while St John Constable Chris Taylor abstained.
Three Members – Housing Minister Anne Pryke, St Peter Constable John Refault and St Saviour Constable Sadie Rennard – were simply listed as having been in the States yesterday, but not in the Chamber when the vote was taken.