The law gives gay couples similar rights as a husband and wife

Same sex couples now have similar rights to marriage and adoption in Jersey as straight couples.

Jersey’s civil partnership law has come into force.

The idea was agreed in principle by the States in 2009, but it has taken three years for the law to be drafted and approved.

Steven Edwards, who has campaigned for greater equality, said: “People who’ve had civil partnerships in the UK are now legitimately recognised in Jersey.”

He said this meant they could open a bank account, buy property, and have access to inheritance.

The civil partnership law will allow gay couples similar rights and responsibilities as a husband and wife.

It will allow them to adopt children and claim a joint pension.

More than 50 other Jersey laws had to be re-worded to give civil partners equal rights.

Shared by Gino Meriano @ PinkApproved

Retrieved from “http://wiki.pinkapproved.com/News_Jersey%E2%80%99s_civil_partnership_law_comes_into_force”

Same-sex couples have moved a step closer to the right to marry in a civil ceremony.
The Home Office today launched a consultation on how to allow everyone to have a civil marriage.
People will be able to have their say on the proposed changes by completing the online survey.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: ‘I believe that if a couple love each other and want to commit to a life together, they should have the option of a civil marriage, whatever their gender.
‘Today is a hugely important step as we consider how to lift the ban on civil marriage for same-sex couples.
‘This is about the underlying principles of family, society, and personal freedoms.
‘Marriage is a celebration of love and should be open to everyone.’
Under current law same-sex couples can have a civil partnership but not a civil marriage. The government wants to make the right to marry in civil premises, like a register office or hotel, available to everyone.
Key Facts
• The proposal is to remove the ban on same-sex couples having a civil marriage
• The consultation will look at civil marriage only i.e. only civil marriage ceremonies in a register office or other approved premises (like a hotel)
• No changes are proposed to religious marriages. This will continue to only be legally possible between a man and a woman
• Not looking at civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples
• The consultation will propose that civil partnerships are retained as an option for same-sex couples, once civil marriage is opened up
• Civil partnership registrations on religious premises will continue as is currently possible i.e. on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content
• Individuals will, for the first time, be able legally to change their gender without having to end their marriage.

However there is still discrimination : they WILL NOT allow opposite sex couples have the option to have a Civil Partnership as they “belive” there is no demand. I have been writing to them explaining in the last year alone over 70 opposite sex couples have wanted a Civil Partnership.

Gino Meriano

ok, let’s stop all the confusion

In a recent report, last Sunday was deemed by the press that the Church was fighting to prevent same sex marriage, we all know the Church does want this to happen so as a result decided to announce and seek support from their fellow church goers that same sex couples cannot be permitted to marry……and here is where the confusion starts and the debate in Churches should be left for another day.

While I was interviewed I realized that the church, the people and the press were all misled as to what the government were planning, Cameron’s lame attempt to gain the LGBT vote, stating he will fight for “Gay Marriage” whatever that is has been exposed, he has moved us one step closer but not how your led to believe.

Cameron made sure people were under the impression that ALL forms of Marriage was on the table when in fact it was not. The church were aware that the change in legislation was NOT in the church but in the Register office, but they had to take a stance as it would mean a step closer to losing the debate surrounding marriage to all, including the church. Now you know as I do the Church would stand up and do exactly what they did last Sunday to cause confusion alongside Cameron.

So let’s make this simple
In the Register Office, Civil Ceremonies (Marriage) is for opposite sex couples and its this that the government are seeking to open to same sex couples

However, there is no discussion yet about opening Civil Partnerships to opposite sex couples, for those who do not want to get married in a register office

Why are the Church fighting tooth and nail to stop this?
It’s because the decision to make this change is a government one and not a Church one. The difference between the state vs the church.

I have to admit, I do find this a little amusing. So much confusion and controversy – the Church and Cameron are showing their true colours, yet again. If the message was clear and concise then there would be no need for such hatred or is this simply a PR story done to perfection.

The Story…
Catholic Archbishops, Vincent Nichols and Peter Smith, are guilty of misleading the faithful – either deliberately or by careless omission. Last Sunday, they instructed every Catholic parish priest in England and Wales to read out a letter to the congregations of 2,500 Catholic churches.

The Pastoral Letter On Marriage, signed by the archbishops, opposed government plans to legalize same-sex marriage; suggesting that it was the moral “duty” of all Catholics to fight plans for marriage equality.

Mischievously, their letter did not make it clear that the government was proposing to allow gay couples to marry only in a civil ceremony in a register office – not in places of worship. Whether by intention or default, the fact that churches would not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages was not made clear.

It still amazes me, after yesterday’s coverage of the Churches actions surrounding Equal Marriage that the debate, if you can really call it a debate holds any merit.

As I listen and read the news and constantly get told how we as “Gay” people are not permitted to love, well, not allowed to love under the eyes of the Church anyway. After all the commotion yesterday, reading a letter in churches around the UK, did what?

The debate should be about the religion, the bible and the values as they stand in today’s modern society. Gone are the days where the church can keep using the same line, for one man and one woman, for education and procreation…. we have seen the New Bible, well lets have a 2012 Bible and make change. Everyone else has

I read a article awhile back about how the church needs to be more liberal when it comes to unmarried mothers/parents. They even went as far as to promote a campaign to promote “get married and have a Christening” at the same time.

The Bishop of Wakefield commented “Patterns of relationship and marriage within society are presenting new opportunities for the church” I wonder if he meant this in a positive way.

If the church can accept unmarried couples, births out of wedlock, couples cohabiting without being married, single mothers and so the list goes on, can they actually stand there and say they are true to the word of the Bible, I think not

If the church stopped forcing their Homophobic views on people and presented themselves as true representatives of the church then maybe people will stand up and listen.

To take the debate to the playground is a joke, how can we be compared to slavery, cannibalism and pedophilia?

The “What’s Next” person
I love this kind of person, I had one gentleman say to me in a public debate, what’s next, are we going to allow our pets to marry?

Really? Is this the level of debate we have in front of us

Bottom line, I find it a real shame that people cannot just talk, be civil and not slander publicly and incite hatred

There is always a solution, it takes grownups to find it

By Gino Meriano Gay Rights Campaigner for same sex couples

I know there is a lot going on in the press surrounding religion, gays, marriage etc

PLEASE STOP saying Gay Marriage – Gay Rights Campaigners around the UK (excluding some idiots) are fighting for the right to open up Civil Marriage and Civil Partnerships to all, why hurt what we have all done for over 10 years – the UK is a bench mark in the way we can add legal rights and never have them removed, think before you act…..

The right move is to finally open up Civil Marriage to same sex couples and Civil Partnerships to opposite sex couples, why because there is a need to help both sides of the coin

PLEASE STOP CALLING IT GAY MARRIAGE – there is no such thing

Thanks Gino Meriano

QUEENSLAND’S first civil partnerships will be celebrated next month, and while it’s not marriage, Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser says it’s the next best thing for couples.

Mr Fraser has announced that the governor has approved the state’s Civil Partnership Act to start from February 23.

With a 10-day waiting period, the first ceremonies could take place on March 5.

“This is a landmark and historic occasion,” Mr Fraser said. “I know that for many people this day has been a long time coming.

“While it isn’t marriage it is the next best thing, and as far as a state government can go in promoting relationship equality.”

Mr Fraser said the enactment of the legislation underlines that Queensland is a modern, progressive state.

Attorney General Paul Lucas said couples can start work on their applications immediately.

“The forms are now available to download from the Department of Justice and Attorney General website from today,” he said.

“From March 5, ceremonies will be able to be held at the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry and various magistrates courts across Queensland.”

The Births, Deaths and Marriages registry is currently developing procedures to allow the appointment of civil partnership notaries from April.

Mr Fraser challenged Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman to end opposition to the legislation.

“Campbell Newman promised that if any ceremonies had taken place prior to the election, then any future LNP Government would not repeal the legislation,” Mr Fraser said.

“There are thousands of Queenslanders to whom these laws mean so much. The whole state will hold Mr Newman to account and see if he stands by his word.”

Shared by Gino Meriano @ PinkApproved

It was a pleasure being asked on BBC radio so speak about the pending bills and changes that could affect both opposite and same sex couples when forming a Marriage or Partnership. It was a great interview, open and willing to listen to both sides of my coin and the concerns I have for all.

How best to make the change that will not affect opposite sex couples in churches and give them the right to hold a Civil Partnership and open Civil Marriage to same sex couples

It’s going to be a awesome year ahead from March onwards. Change is coming and one that will benefit all in a positive way.

HAVANA (AFP) – Cuba’s National Assembly this year will take up the issue of civil unions for same-sex couples, as part of the Communist government’s bid to end discrimination, the president’s daughter said on Monday.

‘According to the Justice Minister (Maria Esther Reus) … it is going to be discussed in the assembly, and is on the agenda for 2012,’ Mariela Castro, the sex educator daughter of President Raul Castro, told the state website ‘Cuba Si’.

The issue on the table will be civil unions for gays and lesbians, but not gay marriage, the report said.

Ms Mariela Castro, who leads the National Sex Education Center, said she believes the Communist Party will adopt at its national conference Jan 28 a ‘non-discrimination policy’ paving the way for lawmakers in the Americas’ only one-party Communist regime to pass.

Shared by Gino Meriano @ PinkApproved

Thank you to the BBC for inviting me on to talk about the pending bill, opening up Civil Marriage and Partnerships to all.

In today’s paper it is stated that a campaign to defeat the Coalition’s plan to lift the ban on civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples is being organised by traditionalist Tory MPs, who claim the idea would weaken the institution of marriage. Ministers fear the revolt will undermine Mr Cameron’s drive to modernise his party.

Watch this space, this is only the beginning

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mps-go-to-war-over-gay-marriage-6290679.html

New Hampshire lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill next week that would repeal the state’s marriage equality law.

Sources familiar with the legislative calendar indicate that the vote will likely take place on Jan. 18. The measure is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled state Legislature, but Gov. John Lynch, who signed the marriage equality bill into law in 2009, has said he would veto the measure. It remains unclear whether there are enough votes to override the governor’s veto.

Marriage became an issue on the campaign trail ahead of the state’s Republican presidential primary on Jan. 10, with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum facing particular scrutiny over his strong opposition to marriage equality in the days leading up to the vote.

Shared by Gino Meriano @ PinkApproved