LONDON, September 14  –  A new publicity campaign to tell gay people what they need to know about same-sex civil partnerships was launched by Deputy Equality Minister Meg Munn at Westminster Register Office today.

The guidance gives people information about how they can register their civil partnership and what their new rights and responsibilities are in areas like tax, pensions and benefits.

Meg Munn chatted to couples who will be registering their partnerships and met with the Superintendent registrar Alison Cathcart and Council Leader Simon Milton.

“Civil partnership is a landmark change in the law that will give gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights as married partners,” the minister said.

“The Government is committed to equality for al,l and in our modern society it is only right that gay and lesbian couples who have made a decision to share their lives should be given the recognition they deserve.

“It is ridiculous that we have had a system that does not recognise the relationship of a gay couple who may have lived together for 20 years,” she said.

“One partner could be excluded from the funeral if the other died, or lose their joint home because of inheritance tax.

“I am really happy that civil partnership gives same-sex relationships the recognition they should have,” she added.

Westminster Council will be welcoming couples for civil partnerships from December 5th 2005.

“Seventy couples have already been in touch with us to book their civil partnership registration, Council Leader Simon Milton revealed.

“Westminster is the most popular place in London to get married and we would also like to be the most popular location for civil partnership registrations.”

The new government guidance on civil partnerships will give couples information on:

* How to register their partnership;

* Where to get more information on new pension and tax rights;

* New responsibilities in the treatment of social security benefits and child support; and

* Information for couples who have already registered their partnerships abroad.

The Civil Partnership Act received royal assent in November 2004 and will come into force on December 5.  From that date couples will be able to give notice at a Register Office that they want to register a civil partnership and will be able to register after 15 days, from December 21 (in Northern Ireland, 14 days and from December 20, though Government has yet to officially confirm this).

The first Civil Partnership ceremony in the United Kingdom will probably be in Northern Ireland

The Civil Partnership Act closely mirrors the legislation for civil marriage.  The major difference is that there is no legal requirement in the Civil Partnership Act for the partnership to be “consummated”, and that infidelity is not a ground for dissolution

The Government is publishing an information booklet on civil partnership which will be circulated widely, including to Citizens Advice Bureaux, Libraries and Register Offices.  This booklet can be downloaded from http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership.htm.

Information leaflets will also be circulated through inserts in the gay press and through lesbian and gay venues across England and Wales.  

Detailed guidance and more information is available on the Women and Equality Unit website.

LINKS

Women and Equality Unit website