Being Civil

I couldn’t let December pass without mentioning possibly the most significant social and political change in recent years. You may be sick hearing about them already. I’m talking about Civil Partnerships.

So maybe there are still lines of people wanting to condemn homosexuality, but at least now we have rights we didn’t have previously. Maybe it’s not perfect, in fact I’m sure there is still a steep climb till homosexuality is widely accepted and gays have the same rights as everyone else, but it’s a start.

Income related benefits, tax credits and child support, employment benefits and inheritance of a tenancy agreement is all very well, but I feel the most important rights offered in the new Civil Partnerships are the ability to apply for parental responsibility for your civil partner’s child and recognition for immigration and nationality purposes.

There are reports of how many queer couples will be dashing to the registry office, in what seems to be an almost school boy like frenzy. Not surprisingly Brighton & Hove have the most ceremonies arranged, but perhaps oddly the first ceremony in the UK will take place in Northern Ireland, due to us having a waiting period before implementation of only 14 days, as opposed to 21 days. Don’t be fooled into thinking N. Ireland is open-minded though – it’s not.

Roll on Civil Partnerships. Good luck to anyone going through ceremonies. Here’s to more gay rights, and 2006.