UK Getting Ready for Gay Weddings

LONDON, UK -- A new publicity campaign to tell people what they need to know about civil partnerships was launched by Deputy Equality Minister Meg Munn at Westminster Register Office on Wednesday 14th September 2005.

The guidance gives people information about how they can register their civil partnership and what their new rights and responsibilities are in areas like tax, pensions and benefits.

Meg Munn chatted to couples who will be registering their partnerships and met with the Superintendent registrar Alison Cathcart and Council Leader Simon Milton.

Meg Munn said, "Civil partnership is a landmark change in the law that will give gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights as married partners.

"The Government is committed to equality for all and 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."

Westminster Council will be welcoming couples for civil partnerships from December 5th 2005. Council Leader Simon Milton said, "Seventy couples have already been in touch with us to book their civil partnership registration. Westminster is the most popular place in London to get married and we would also like to be the most popular location for civil partnership registrations."

The new guidance will give couples information on:

* How to register their partnership;

* Where to get more information on new pension and tax rights;

* New responsibilities in the treatment of social security benefits and child support; and

* Information for couples who have already registered their partnerships abroad.

The Civil Partnership Act received royal assent in November 2004 and will come into force on 5th December 2005. From that date couples will be able to give notice at a Register Office that they want to register a civil partnership and will be able to register after 15 days, from 21 December.

The Government is publishing an information booklet on civil partnership which will be circulated widely, including to Citizens Advice Bureaux, Libraries and Register Offices. This booklet can be downloaded from http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership.htm.

Information leaflets will also be circulated through inserts in the gay press and through lesbian and gay venues across England and Wales. Detailed guidance and more information is available on the Women and Equality Unit website.