Gay couples allowed to convert

[Jazzy]

Same-sex couples who entered into civil partnerships will be able to convert them into marriage from today.

The first 10 couples will make the conversion in Brighton today after a change to the law.

Ian Scott, 70, and Ron Williams, 82, from Brighton, whose civil partnership took place in January 2006, are among the couples taking part today.

Mr Scott said: ‘We are elated. We never thought it was something which would happen in our lifetime.’

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has praised the change to the Marriage Act as further progress for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) equality in the UK, and said: ‘I am proud that couples can finally convert their civil partnerships to marriage.’

Ten registrars will take the couples through the administrative process simultaneously in separate offices at Brighton Town Hall at 10am, a Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said.

All 10 couples will be given a commemorative certificate to mark their involvement in the day’s celebration, she added.

Mr Clegg said: ‘Today is another celebration for LGBT rights in this country, but as ever it’s a reminder that there are people across the world living under much less fortunate conditions, facing discrimination and persecution on a daily basis.

‘So as we raise a glass to those making their vows, we send a message of solidarity to LGBT people everywhere.’

There is no legal ceremony as part of the conversion process but Brighton and Hove Register Office will offer couples the opportunity to mark the change to marriage with a celebratory ceremony.

Linda Holm, superintendent registrar, said about 150 couples have already booked to convert their civil partnerships into marriages.

Source

Your thoughts on the conversion?

 

[Dee]

I think that's wonderful. It's just one more step in the right direction for human rights.

 

[DrLeftover]

In other related news:

10 Dec

Uganda planning new anti-gay law despite opposition

Uganda plans to introduce a new anti-gay law that will withstand any legal challenge, a government minister has told the BBC.

It will not explicitly refer to homosexuality, but will rely on the penal code which prescribes a life sentence for "unnatural acts", he said.

Activists say the plan is more draconian than anti-gay legislation annulled by the courts in August.

The US and other donors cut funding to Uganda in protest against the law.

Uganda is a deeply conservative society where homosexual acts are already illegal.

New legislation against gay people will increase the government's popularity, says the BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital, Kampala.


... ...
The scrapped legislation allowed for life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality" and for entering into a same-sex marriage.

It also proposed a prison sentence of up to seven years or a fine or both for the promotion of homosexuality.

The original draft of the bill called for the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality".

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29994678