■ Diane Abbott, MP:  “In a free society, where we value equality before the law, [the Civil Partnership Act] is long overdue,”

LONDON, December 5, 2005  –  Member of Parliament Diane Abbott today welcomed the coming into force of the new Civil Partnership Act.  She said it was a step forward for human rights and would bring Britain closer to eradicating discrimination based on sexual orientation.
 

The MP for the London constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington said that the Act gives gay couples the same inheritance, pension, tax and benefit rights as married heterosexuals. Civil partners will also have legal “next of kin” status and, in the event of separation, will have rights over each other’s assets and access arrangements to any children from the relationship.

“In a free society, where we value equality before the law, this is long overdue,” Ms. Abbott told UK Gay News this afternoon.

“Denying people the right to marry on the basis of their sexual orientation is a breach of basic human rights.  The option to formalise a life-long commitment should be open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.  Today’s legalisation of same-sex civil partnerships is a fundamental step forward for human rights,” she said.

“People who happen to love someone of the same gender will finally be able to enjoy all the legal benefits, as well as responsibilities, that marriage has traditionally conferred,” she continued.

“By introducing the civil partnership, which is identical to marriage in all but name, we have come one step closer to eradicating discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.

“I think the Act has consolidated the message that homosexuality is not something to be ashamed of or something deviant to be banished from mainstream society.  With the important legal and inheritance aspects involved now solved we can truly focus on changing attitudes for good.”

And the MP concluded with a message to all gay and lesbian couple:  “I want to extend my well wishes to all those publishing their ‘wedding banns’ today.”

"TIMELINE" OF WORLD SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, PARTNERSHIP OR UNION LEGISLATION IN ALL ITS FORMS

LINK

Diana Abbott's website