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 Equality minister Lynne Featherstone says full gay marriage a step nearer
The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that under new guidance being drawn up by the Government, same-sex couples could be allowed to use religious music and readings during civil partnership ceremonies.
It comes after homosexuals were given the right to ask permission for their legal unions to be held in places of worship for the first time in Labour’s Equality Act.
Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat equalities minister, said:
“An amendment made in the House of Lords to the Equality Act 2010 removed the express prohibition on civil partnership registrations taking place on religious premises.
“In response to this amendment, the Government committed to talking to those with a key interest in the issue of civil partnerships on what the next stage should be for civil partnerships.
“This will include consideration of whether civil partnerships should be allowed to include religious readings, music and symbols.
“This commitment was made through the document, Working for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality, published on 16 June 2010.”
Church of England sources warned that the Government could not make such dramatic changes merely by issuing regulations or guidance, as the current Civil Partnership Act prohibits the use of religious services during the registrations.
A spokesman made it clear that senior figures in the established faith will resist any moves to legalise gay marriage, saying: “The Church of England is not proposing to open its churches for civil partnership registrations. Any comment we might wish to make on the principles of these apparent proposals would be made through the formal consultation process."
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(Source: The Daily Telegraph, 02/07/10)
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