This Friday morning UK MPs will debate a private member’s bill on whether to end the ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships.
Currently, in the UK they are available only to same-sex couples. But, a recent appeals court says this is not in line with equality laws.
Moreover, the previous equalities minister Justine Greening supported reform to open them up to straight and bi opposite-sex couples. However, after a reshuffle in the cabinet, the government now wants time to deliberate.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is backing reform:
‘In a democratic society, everyone should be equal before the law, with the same rights and responsibilities. It is outrageous that for 14 years successive governments have been unwilling to legislate equality.’
However, one option for the government is to simply scrap them to comply with the law.
Do you have an opinion about Civil Partnerships?
Are you in a same-sex relationship in the UK and want to have a civil partnership?
Or are you in a civil partnership but don’t want to convert it to a marriage?
Get in touch with Gay Star News and tell us why:
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If straight couples want civil partnerships, it’s in our interests to help
