Same-sex civil partnerships & marriages

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In the UK: England, N. Ireland, Wales & Scotland

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Overview:

The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Although Scotland is part of the UK, it has been granted limited self-government. These powers include the definition of who is eligible to be married. Thus, the following section deals only with the recognition of same-sex relationships in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Same-sex marriage in Scotland is discussed in a separate essay.

The path towards full legal equality for gays, lesbians and bisexuals who form loving, committed same-sex couples in the UK started in the 1960s with the decriminalization of same-sex sexual behavior. The effort was largely completed by the end of 2005 when same-sex couples became able to enter into civil partnerships.

In terms of rights, civil partnerships are virtually indistinguishable from opposite-sex marriages, in that they grant essentially the same rights, obligations and privileges to the couple. However, they are called by the name "civil partnerships" in order to avoid offending those who feel that marriage should be a special right restricted to opposite-sex couples.

By mid-2009, public support for same-sex marriage (SSM) had reached 61% while opposition dropped to 33%. By late 2010, the ratio of support to opposition is probably approaching 2:1. Politicians are discussing changing the definition of marriage to allow all loving committed couples to marry. Meanwhile, a lawsuit is planned to make available marriage for same-sex couples and civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples.

On 2011-FEB-14, Valentine's Day, the following announcement appeared in our local newspaper:

"Government to allow gay church marriage: British media reported Sunday the government is preparing to erase some of the last remaining distinctions between gay partnership and traditional marriage -- allowing gay couples to tie the knot in churches in ceremonies that may be officially known as marriages."

"Marriage and civil partnership are already virtually identical under British law, but because same-sex unions are carried out by government registrars, the ceremonny must take place in a public building and religious references are banned."

Topics covered in this section:

• Timeline. 2001 to 2003 activities leading up to the release of the civil partnership bill's text.
  
  
• 2003 to 2005: Law introduced & passed. Reactions. "Pink Wedding Waiting List"
  
  
• 2005: Methodist reaction. 1st civil partnerships in the UK. Western Isles problem. Lawsuit. 2010 statistics.
  
  
• Celebrations and protests at the first civil partnerships.
  
  
• 2010 activity: Increasing support for same-sex marriage in the UK
  
  
• 2011 activity: Move to make civil marriage (not religious marriage) available to all couples

For detailed information on civil partnerships in the UK:

	"Civil Partnership" at: http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/
	"Civil Partnerships: A quick guide to registering a civil partnership," at: http://www.gro.gov.uk/
	"Civil Partnership Bill [HL], House of Lords, at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/

Related section:

• The Church of Scotland and lesbian & gay clergy in loving committed relationships.

Reference used:

1. "Britain: Government to allow gay church marriage," Toronto Star, 2011-FEB-14, Page A11.
2. "Scotland," Wikipedia, as on 2011-

Site navigation:

Home page > Homosexuality > Same-sex marriage > SSM > here

Copyright © 2003 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2003-JUL-1
Latest update: 2011-SEP-18
Author: B.A. Robinson

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