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15/09/2005
‘Gay marriages’ publicity campaign launched
The government has launched a new publicity campaign to highlight the new civil partnerships legislation.
The new legislation, which became law last November, provides same-sex couples with the same rights in areas such as tax, pensions and benefits as heterosexual couples.
The government has published an information booklet, which provides information on how to register partnerships; pension and tax rights; and new responsibilities in the treatment of social security benefits and child support.
The leaflet will be distributed to Citizens Advice Bureaux, Libraries and Register Offices.
Commenting on the new legislation, Deputy Equality Minister Meg Munn, said: “In our modern society it is only right that gay and lesbian couples who have made a decision to share their lives should be given the recognition they deserve.
“It is ridiculous that we have had a system that does not recognise the relationship of a gay couple who may have lived together for 20 years. One partner could be excluded from the funeral if the other died, or lose their joint home because of inheritance tax. I am really happy that civil partnership gives same-sex relationships the recognition they should have.”
The legislation will come into force from December 5. Couples will be able to give notice at a Register Office of their intention to register a civil partnership from that date and will be able to register on December 21, fifteen days later.
Westminster Council, where the publicity campaign was launched on Wednesday, confirmed that seventy couples had already contacted them to book their civil partnership registration.
(KMcA/SP)
The new legislation, which became law last November, provides same-sex couples with the same rights in areas such as tax, pensions and benefits as heterosexual couples.
The government has published an information booklet, which provides information on how to register partnerships; pension and tax rights; and new responsibilities in the treatment of social security benefits and child support.
The leaflet will be distributed to Citizens Advice Bureaux, Libraries and Register Offices.
Commenting on the new legislation, Deputy Equality Minister Meg Munn, said: “In our modern society it is only right that gay and lesbian couples who have made a decision to share their lives should be given the recognition they deserve.
“It is ridiculous that we have had a system that does not recognise the relationship of a gay couple who may have lived together for 20 years. One partner could be excluded from the funeral if the other died, or lose their joint home because of inheritance tax. I am really happy that civil partnership gives same-sex relationships the recognition they should have.”
The legislation will come into force from December 5. Couples will be able to give notice at a Register Office of their intention to register a civil partnership from that date and will be able to register on December 21, fifteen days later.
Westminster Council, where the publicity campaign was launched on Wednesday, confirmed that seventy couples had already contacted them to book their civil partnership registration.
(KMcA/SP)
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05 December 2005
‘Gay marriage’ becomes legal
Around a thousand gay couples are expected to register for the new civil partnerships, which became law today. The Civil Partnership Act allows gay couples to register their intent to form a civil partnership.
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Around a thousand gay couples are expected to register for the new civil partnerships, which became law today. The Civil Partnership Act allows gay couples to register their intent to form a civil partnership.
31 March 2004
Gay couples to gain legal recognition through civil partnerships
Same-sex couples will gain formal legal recognition of their relationships by entering into a civil partnership, under proposals outlined to Parliament today.
Gay couples to gain legal recognition through civil partnerships
Same-sex couples will gain formal legal recognition of their relationships by entering into a civil partnership, under proposals outlined to Parliament today.
16 December 2014
Scotland's Same-Sex Marriage Law Comes Into Effect
A new same-sex marriage law has come into effect in Scotland. Under the new law, same-sex couples can give notice of their intention to marry, and existing civil partnerships can be converted to a marriage – which one couple is understood to have done already, shortly after midnight when the law came into force.
Scotland's Same-Sex Marriage Law Comes Into Effect
A new same-sex marriage law has come into effect in Scotland. Under the new law, same-sex couples can give notice of their intention to marry, and existing civil partnerships can be converted to a marriage – which one couple is understood to have done already, shortly after midnight when the law came into force.
11 December 2012
CofE Gay Marriage Outlawed
Performing gay marriage ceremonies in the Church of England and Church in Wales is to be banned, the government has announced. The move comes as a result of new 'opt-in' laws which will allow some religious institutions to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
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31 July 2012
Civil Partnerships Booming In UK
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The number of civil partnerships in the UK has soared, provisional ONS figures found. Data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that the numbers of people entering into civil partnerships last year rose by 6% from the figure the year before.
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