Gay couples win full rights to marriage

[JoFerret]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/gayrights/story/0,12592,1179714,00.html

The first laws giving gay people the right to 'marry' are to be unveiled this week in one of the most significant changes to Britain's social make-up since the passing of equal opportunities legislation in the 1960s.
Attempting to show it still has a radical edge, the Government will say that all couples who sign up to a committed relationship should have the same rights, regardless of sexual orientation.

'It is about equality,' said a Whitehall source. 'It is not about special favours - they will have the right to commit to one another and the responsibilities that brings.'

Under the Civil Partnerships Bill to be published on Wednesday, same-sex couples will be able to sign a register held by the register office in a procedure similar to a marriage. Although the Govern ment will insist it is not officially a 'marriage' but rather a contract between two people, the fact that couples will have to announce their intentions beforehand in a similar way to the reading of the banns before a wedding reveals its true effect.

Couples will have rights to pensions similar to married couples, will not have to pay inheritance tax on property passed between them when one dies and will have access to hospital records similar to that allowed for a spouse.

The distress caused by the lack of rights for gay couples was highlighted by Trevor Bentham, who lived for 22 years with the actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne. Bentham had to pay a six-figure tax bill on Sir Nigel's half-share of their home, a 15th-century manor house in Hertfordshire, when the Yes Minister actor died.
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[leQ]

1. *applause*

we're almost there folx.

[ezee]

3. I am

proud of Britain. It wont be long for the injustice in America on this issue to be righted.

[JoFerret]

6. It certainly helps

every step forward is a step forward

[Zookeeper]

2. 'Sounds like a good start....

and I'm happy to hear about it, for England. But, also feel upset...what the hell is wrong with US?!! Why do we have so many straight Americans who are unwilling to share their cookies? Do they need a kindergarten refresher course?

BTW, I am straight, married, three kids, mini-van, and I just don't see how allowing gay and lesbian people to form stable and legal unions (or marriages) undermines my marriage or family.

I think non-fundie Republicans should understand that if you're paying equal taxes, you deserve equal rights.

[BiggJawn]

16. I'm with you, Zookeeper.

Gee, I love the "Sanctity of Marriage" so much I tried it TWICE...

Maybe they're afraid that Gays who have been partners for decades are gonna show guys like me how it's done?
:7

[yltlatl]

4. Further proof....

that the U.S. needs to leave the cultural stone age behind and join the 21st century. I can't believe that one of the most Catholic countries in the world is more progressive than we are on this issue.

[Maat]

5. I completely agree. I'm a 45-yr-old Mom who has been in a...

hetero relationship for nearly 30 years, (20 of them married). I want everyone to enjoy the benefits of marriage. I want same-sex couples everywhere to know that they are a great many people who support them -- from all walks of life. It is just that the bigots/fundies yell the loudest, sometimes.

[JoFerret]

7. Ireland is not the Ireland it once was

they even have to import priests these days. separate church and stae and you get improved rights for all.
And of course - the UK is not ireland at all! and stopped all that church nonsense a while back. Or vast majority did anyways.

[Chicago Democrat]

8. Election Year Politics - Tony woos the Left wing

The flip side of what Bush is doing, Tony woos the left wing who hates his guts for what he did in Iraq. Fuck you Tony.

[Iceburg]

9. Separate but not equal sounds ok ...until you have to set the table

Civil Unionist A :Honey ?

Civil Unionist B; Yes, Dear.

Civil Unionist A: The Jones will be arriving soon. What dinner plates shall we use?

Civil Unionist B: Oh -- how about the Nationally Sanctioned Domestic Partnership china?

[Zookeeper]

12. LOL!

Welcome to Du, Iceburg! :bounce:

[nonbelief]

10. Oh, Dear God!

Yet another blow to the sanctity of heterosexual unions.

Every time I read another story about gay folks living together like husband and husband or wife and wife the urge to leave my wife and chase men gets stronger...


Must... honor... marriage..Must...honor...marriage

[area51]

11. Welcome

Welcome to DU, nonbelief.

[daveskilt]

13. me too! I cant help it im singing showtunes now!

that big gay boogeyman enboldened by the legalization of gay marriage must have crept into my house and gayized me. And I have noticed my wife has been wearing a lot more overalls and comfortable shoes - are we both succumbing to gay stereotypes!

on edit: welcome :toast:

[Iceburg]

15. Go to a Baptist church, a professional hockey game ... just do it fast

Because before you know it she'll have you umpiring her softball games. Run for the hills....

[dbt]

14. And Blair is on board with this?

Trying to distance himself from his War Bride bu$h perhaps? Oh, well. Even a blind poodle finds the occasional fire hydrant!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[fortyfeetunder]

17. USA thumped once again

I imagine my buds in Europe are laughing silly over USA angst in granting gay marriage.. Guess the Brits are bloody glad the Puritans left for the Colonies almost 400 years ago...we haven't changed much...

[sweetheart]

18. This is GREAT news

the wind of political change always blows west. Womens sufferage
came first in england then later to the US.... and now gay marriage.

I pray that all the liberated gay peoples in britain, release
lottsa psychic good vibes to blow west and liberate their long lost
cousins.

:party: This makes my day. Something bright and progressive
in a world of otherwise "bush" news.

[HuckleB]

19. Nice!

Step one.

Step two: Get over this separate but equal nonsense.

[BattyDem]

20. Once again, the world moves forward ...

while we continue to move in reverse. :(

A toast to the Brits! :toast:

Wanna bet there's going to be a major policy change ...

2003, War with Iraq: Bush* keeps shoving Tony Blair in our faces and praises the strong, important friendship we have with our oldest ally, Great Britain.

2004, Gay Marriage: "Tony who? Sorry, never heard of him. What's so "great" about Britain anyway? There isn't even any oil there!"


;-)

[David__77]

21. The Conservatives are attacking it from the left?

This is interesting how the Tories are attacking the unequal tax pension provisions in the bill, and indeed it is legitimate criticism. If the goal is equality, make it equal. Nonetheless, it's big step forward. Hopefully civil unions or marriage equality becomes the standard EU practice is short order. Wherever labor/socialist parties come to power, they must create such laws.

[neverborn]

22. Congrats to the British homosexuals.

Hopefully the Americans will be on board around 1/20/05.