First Gay Civil Partnerships take place in England

4.30.31pm GMT Wed 21st Dec 2005

Today has seen the first Gay Civil Partnerships take place in England, Northern Ireland had theirs two days ago and Scotland yesterday, the most high profile is of course Elton John's (although my invitation appears to have been lost in the post). I was going to let the 'Big Day' pass without comment but the local Wolverhampton newspaper the Express and Star's comment piece has irritated me so much I have to write something.

The comment piece states "... For a start, any gay ceremony described as a wedding inevitable erodes the special, sacred nature of the ancient union between a man and a woman, sanctified by religion for the prime purpose of raising children. But the issues raised go deeper than that. If a gay couple can have a legal partnership why not other couples living in similar but non-sexual relationships. The law now accepts, for instance, that it is wrong for a gay partner to face crippling death duties and the possible loss of a home on the death of his or her partner. But it is clearly equally wrong for such a fate to befall the survivor in a pairing of sisters, brothers or children and ageing parents..."

I am used to the Express and Star being on the (far) right of the political spectrum and should not be surprised at the bile they print, but they are just so obviously wrong - I would be tempted to write a letter in but I know they would not print it.

Firstly the Civil Partnership Act is there to provide some equality (and it does not provide absolute equality) between those in a loving heterosexual relationship and those in a loving homosexual relationship and should be welcomed. For too long homosexuals have been second class citizens in terms of their rights, the enabling of homosexuals to register partnerships should be welcomed.

As for the Express and Star asking why it is okay for Homosexual couples to register their partnerships but not other couples living in non-sexual relationships I can only assume they are trying to cause problems. There is a huge difference between two gay men being together and wanting to register a partnership and two siblings wanting to do the same - the gay men being in love and the siblings wanting to register for monetary reasons.