The British law making the age of sexual consent for gays the same as that for straights took effect Jan. 8. Sex is now legal at age 16 in England and Wales and age 17 in Northern Ireland.
After the legislation passed the House of Commons, whose members are elected, the government had to use a rare legal maneuver to circumvent the members of the unelected House of Lords, who repeatedly blocked the measure.
Previously, gay sex was banned for anyone under age 18.