Mayor Boris Johnson has publicly backed gay marriage. Speaking at today’s annual Gay Pride march the countries second most powerful politician voiced his support for the controversial policy. The Tory was cornered by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who was carrying a banner saying "David and Sam Cameron can Marry – Gays Can’t. End the Ban on Gay Marriage" According to the Pink News Mr Johnson said: "If we can have a coalition between Tories and Lib Dems, why can't we have gay marriage?" Mr Tatchell responded: "There you are – the mayor supports gay marriage". There were concerns the Mayor was distancing himself from the LGBT scene after cancelling the annual Pride parade and replacing it with a "reception". Johnson led this afternoon’s march from Wigmore Street via Oxford Circus to Trafalgar Square. Over a million people are expected to turn out for the UK's biggest LGBT event and also mark 40 years since the founding of the Gay Liberation Front. Speaking yesterday Johnson said: "Everybody has the right to live their life as they wish, free from persecution and abuse, and my office is working with the community, the police and other partners to ensure that irrespective of your sexuality all Londoners are able to participate fully in the life of the capital." Tory policy During the election the Conservatives said they would "consider" changing the law to allow gay civil partnerships to be called marriages. The equalities manifesto which promised a 'Contract' with the British people stated: "Since the beginning of his leadership, David Cameron has made clear the Conservative Party's commitment to sexual equality and gay rights - from his first conference speech, in which he proudly confirmed our support for civil partnerships, to his apology for our former stance on Section 28 [the prohibition against promoting homosexuality in schools]. Whether it's our strong commitment to supporting marriage and civil partnerships, or our proposals for flexible parental leave which will benefit parents regardless of their sexuality, the modern Conservative Party is committed to a fairer deal for gay people across Britain.” The Conservatives are unique among the three main parties in promising the homosexual community that they would create legal "gay marriage."
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