More progress on UK marriage equality
Speaking at an event hosted by GLBTI rights lobby group Stonewall, British Home Secretary Theresa May promised action on allowing full same-sex marriage in the UK.
In what was her first major speech on GLBTI issues, May discussed the Government’s plan to remove the ban on same-sex civil partnership registrations being held on religious premises and moves towards full marriage equality.
May’s speech also addressed the problem of homophobia in Britain and outlined measures to address inequality in the education, sports and business sectors.
Despite her recent support, May’s appointment to the role of Minister for Women and Equality was initially met with criticism from members of Britain’s GLBTI community, as she voted against lowering the age of consent in 1998 and against greater adoption rights for same-sex couples in 2002.
After the Conservative Party formed Government last year, May said she had “changed her mind” on gay adoption, and later clarified her views further, advocating the need for cultural change to address homophobia in Britain.
Although the UK has allowed civil partnerships between same-sex couples since 2005, the nation has yet to institute marriage equality. Civil partnerships between heterosexual couples are also illegal.
Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg has come out in support of same-sex marriage as has the Opposition and Labor leader Ed Miliband.
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The consultation process on full marriage equality (and CP equality – they’re probably going to keep CPs and open them up to straights as well) starts in July 2011! The Scottish parliament (they set different laws to the rest of the UK) have been told by the equalities commission that they should also do the same. Amazing really, the UK is the traditionalist old fashioned country, the head of govt is the Queen who is also head of the church of England, the Bishops sit in the upper house and are part of govt, the conservative party is the main party in power and yet Australia, which is labour run, has no state relgion etc is struggling much more with gay partnerships than the UK. WHY?