The times they are
a changing .... so let proud2serve keep you up to date with changes
in civil and military law and the regulations which cover entitlements
on the basis of marital category.
Civil
Partnership - the legal bit
The Civil Partnership Law was passed by parliament
on 17 Nov 04, receiving Royal Ascent on the 18th November 2004.
This act now allows gay couples to commit to one another in the
eyes of the law with a Commitment Ceremony. The ceremony will
be performed by a Registrar.
The only real difference between marriage and
civil partnerships will be you won’t be able to carry out
the partnership ceremony in a church (or any religious place).
However, there are an increasing number of Churches and religious
groups across the country that will carry out a commitment ceremony
for you, even if the official deed of paperwork signing has to
be done somewhere else. A bit Camilla and Charlie in fact. Certain
military chaplains will be prepared to offer a blessing for partnerships,
have a look in the public forum for further details.
The government anticipated 4,500 Civil Partnerships
in the first 12 months and between
11 000 and 22 000 by 2010. There had already been 15 672 partnerships
in the first 9 months from Dec 05 to Sep 06.
financial implications of civil partnership
Financial implications of changes to employment law that will apply
to civil partners are explored on the employment
law pages.
Consomme?
There is the one other difference - gay
prudes look away now - as far as we can tell there’s any
legal obligation to consumate the relationship, so that’ll
be a relief to those of us who prefer the Telegraph quickie crossword
before bed, rather than anything else!
implications for military pensions and housing
You will probably be most interested in this section
Armed
Forces Pension Scheme: Rights for civil partners. Under the heading
'Dependants’ Benefits': Benefits will be extended to same sex
partners who can demonstrate they are in a substantial relationship,
including financial inter-dependency. (See DCI JS 3/2004) (this was
before the Civil Partnership Act)
Service Families Accommodation and Allowances: The
main difference between the treatment of married and unmarried partners
is in the provision of Service Families Accommodation (SFA). However,
now that the Civil Partnership Bill is enacted, same-sex couples who
obtain legal recognition of their relationship through a civil partnership
will be eligible to receive the same benefits as married personnel
(ie allowances/SFA).
interesting news articles
In addition to the general news section, any
interesting articles will be added below.
6 Dec 06
Civil Partnerships exceed all expectations in the first
twelve months.
The government anticipated 4500 Civil Partnerships in the first 12 months
and between 11 000 and 22 000 by 2010. There had already been 15 672 partnerships
in the first 9 months from Dec 05 to Sep 06. [more
...]
12 Aug 05
Gay couple go to court over marriage rights
Two British women who married under Canadian law in 2003 are taking the government
to court today to demand equal rights with heterosexual married couples.
In Britain they will have the status of a civil partnership but in a challenge
thought to be the first of its kind in Europe, they will tell the high court
that this
amounts to second-class
recognition. A heterosexual
marriage conducted abroad would be recognised. [more...]
4 Aug 05
Loophole threat to first gay weddings
Campaigners fear framing of law will allow 'conscientious objector' registrars
and local authorities to boycott civil partnership ceremonies. Registrars
opposed to civil partnerships for gay couples are threatening to plead "conscientious
objection" and refuse to preside over partnership registrations when
they are introduced later this year. [more...]
May 05
Canadian Air Force Hosts First Gay Wedding
Two RCAF SNCOs were married at an airbase in Nova Scotia in May. Canadian
Ministry of Defence introduced regulations in 2003 permitting lesbian and
gay service personnel to marry. The happy couple are a sergeant and a warrant
officer and the marriage was presided over by a United Church minister. [more...]
25 Feb 05
First Gay engagement announced in Times
A gay couple have become the first same-sex pairing to announce
their engagement in the Times forthcoming marriages column. In
the announcement John O'Connor, 33, and Mark Jones, 41, of Islington,
say they plan to wed after legislation acknowledging gay unions is passed.
[more...]
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