The Revd Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, speaking today (30th March) says he looks forward to the debate on the Bill:
“What the government has indicated will be in the Bill only provides a first though welcome step in the full recognition and celebration of same sex unions. We anticipate support from all sides of the House in seeking to improve the legislation.
“Several issues remain a cause for concern. If reports of the Exchequer introducing differentials between same sex partners and married couples on pension rights and other matters are correct, the Bill will fail to bring the promised equivalence to same sex partnerships and open the door to further discrimination.
“Our principle concerns are:
No right to celebrate the union.
Individual local authorities will have the choice not to provide ceremonies to celebrate Civil Partnerships making it a divisive matter for local politicians and forcing couples to travel, possibly long distances, to find an authority that provides a service.
The exclusion of all religious ceremony from the celebration of the union.
The celebration, where permitted, will be devoid of any religious or culturally appropriate material that might have enhanced the signing of the contract giving it greater significance, weight and solemnity.
No choice of celebrant
The couple will only be able to use local registrars for the registration. The personal views of the registrars may have a great influence on the way they conduct such occasions.
“We believe that the Bill should be permissive rather than limiting. Local authority Registration Officers should be empowered to attend ceremonies planned by the couple and act as record keepers, so allowing the couple full choice as to where, when and how the Registration should take place.
“We are also concerned that Civil Partnerships may not be recognised abroad. This could cause great problems to couples when living, working or holidaying abroad, particularly in a crisis.
”The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement are to revisit their policy on same sex marriage at their next Annual General Meeting in April 2004 in the light of international events.
A spokesperson for the Movement commented today (March 30th)
“We cannot ignore international developments. Some countries have already introduced same sex marriages and others are considering taking the step. Many lesbian and gay Christians see their relationships as a marriage and as a Sacrament and are unhappy to see it as anything less. The members of LGCM will have a full opportunity to discus this at their annual Conference.”
Ends