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Civil partnerships and gay marriage

Civil partnerships and gay marriage

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS AND GAY MARRIAGE | MENRUS.CO.UKAmongst other things, there are still those who complain about gay marriage as political correctness gone mad. There are also some LGBT+ people who regard gay marriage as copying an outdated straight ceremony in the heteronormative world.

On the flip side, supporters celebrate gay marriage as a sign of progress, and it is quite extraordinary how far the LGBT+ rights have come over several decades. Few can argue the recognition of marriage for same-sex couples is truly historic, sending a clear message that we live in a modern, open, and inclusive society where equal rights are respected.

Today, both civil partnerships and gay marriage are enshrined in law and, when all is said and done, it’s up to the individuals in question whether to be boyfriends, partners, enter into a civil partnership, or get married. It is their call, and nobody else's, and who are we to pooh-pooh their special day.

However, we couldn’t help ourselves and, browsing past new articles, members of the House of Lords made arguments for and against gay marriage in June 2013. Here are some against though you may need to hold onto your bouquet:

  • It would make the word “marriage” meaningless
  • It would be confusing and awkward for everyone
  • Those who are anti-gay marriage could be accused of a hate crime
  • It would diminish the role of women
  • Gay people will regret it in the long run
  • Marriage can only exist for heterosexual couples
  • Removing the requirement for consummation from marriage will lead to inter-sibling union
  • Not even gay people support gay marriage
  • People might lose their jobs

18 arguments made against gay marriage in the House of Lords | New Statesman | 4 Jun 2013

Civil partnerships

Civil Partnership in the United Kingdom is a form of civil union between couples open to both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Originally civil partnerships were introduced for same-sex couples under the terms of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

In February 2018, the United Kingdom and Scottish governments began reviewing civil partnerships, to expand them to include opposite-sex couples. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that restricting civil partnerships to same-sex couples is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Long story short: opposite-sex couples have been able to enter into civil partnerships in England and Wales since 2 December 2019.

Same-sex marriage is legal in all parts of the United Kingdom.

As marriage is a devolved legislative matter, different parts of the UK legalised same-sex marriage at different times:

  • England and Wales since March 2014
  • Scotland since December 2014
  • Northern Ireland since January 2020

If you want to find more, select one of the following resources:

Citizens Advice
Registering a civil partnership | Citizens Advice
Living together and same-sex marriage: legal differences | Citizens Advice

UK Government
Marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales | GOV.UK

Wkipedia
Civil partnership in the United Kingdom | Wikipedia
Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom | Wikipedia

More

Archbishop will not give new prayer blessing for gay couples | BBC News | 20 Jan 2023
Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote | BBC News | 20 Jun 2021
The history of same-sex relationships is the history of marriage LGBTQ Nation | 26 Oct 2019
First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland | The Guardian | 11 Feb 2020
Suicide rates fall after gay marriage legalised in Sweden and Denmark | The Guardian | 14 Nov 2019
Same-Sex Marriage Around the World | Pew Research Centre | 28 Oct 2019
Where Europe stands on gay marriage and civil unions | Pew Research Centre | 28 Oct 2018
Civil partnerships extended to heterosexual couples – the legal protections explained | The Conversation | 3 Oct 2018
Evidence is clear on the benefits of legalising same-sex marriage | The Conversation | 21 Aug 2017
The secret history of same-sex marriage | The Guardian | 23 Jan 2015
Gay marriage law comes into effect in Scotland | BBC News | 16 Dec 2014
Same sex marriage becomes law | 17 Jul 2013 | GOV.UK

Civil partnerships in England and Wales | 2018 | Office for National Statistics

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