Same-sex marriage legalized in England and Wales

Gay marriage was legalized in England and Wales on Friday, and many couples’ lines up to be married.

Andrew Wale, one of the men waiting to marry his partner of seven years said, “When we were born, it was illegal to be gay, let alone get married. I didn't think about the possibility for most of my life. It is only really recently that suddenly the option seemed to be on its way,” according to CNN.

For some, the law could mean losing their jobs, houses, and friends.

The Church of England is prohibited from performing same-sex marriages, and will not let homosexual priests marry their partners.

For Reverend Andrew Cain, not marrying his partner is not an option. “It is more important to do what is right than to be frightened into not doing what I believe to be true. And I won't be frightened by what the possible consequences are for me. I could lose my job, absolutely. Lose my job, my home and my place,” he said, according to the BBC.

Fifteen countries have now made same-sex marriages legal. The Netherlands was the first to make it legal.