By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:52:06 +0000

Just to clarify a point on the couple in the UK who’s Canadian “same-sex” marriage was declared invalid. The couple’s Canadian marriage is recognised in the UK, but as a “Civil Partnership”, which virtually the same as a heterosexual Civil Marriage. The only difference is that a Civil Partnership does not have to be consumated, infidelity is not a groud for annulment and the name. While a few details regarding pension have still to be worked out, a same-sex couple that has registered a Civil Partnership enjoy all the benefits as a couple who are “traditionally” married (income tax arrangements, legal next of kin, inhertiiance etc). The UK recognises any same-sex couple who have gone through a legal prosess in any country that offers same-sex marriage/patnership/union etc as Civil Partners. It is thought that the Blair government decided to use the name “Civil Partnership” so as not to upset the religious community. Certainly, the legislation went through UK Parliament very easily, unlike some countries – notably the USA – where the word “gay marriage” has caused such a fuore from the religious community. Aldeady, the UK media, and therefore the vast majority of the pubic is calling Civil Partnerhips “marriages” and it could well be that in a few years Parliament will decide to merge the Civil Marriage Act and the Civil Partnership Act into one piece of legislation.

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By: Mark