1st September 2006

 
Green lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists are calling on the British Government to grant same sex partners the right to enter into full marriage after a British lesbian couple recently lost their case to have their Canadian registered marriage recognised in the UK. Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson had their marriage, which is fully recognised in Canada, converted into a civil partnership by the British authorities.

Although civil partnerships give most of the legal rights of marriage, the women claimed they have a lower status and breach the European Convention for Human Rights which enshrines in British law the right to respect for private and family life, the right to marry, and prohibition from discrimination.

Cllr Philip Booth, who recently held a Green party banner at Gloucester's first Rainbow march said: "The Green Party is the only party in Britain to support full marriage equality for same sex couples and were invited to make a written submission to the court. This judgment is wrong. Marriage has a social, symbolic and emotional importance to those who decide to commit to it. Many people, gay and straight, will be offended by the outdated idea that the primary purpose of marriage is to produce children. The Green Party will continue to campaign for full marriage equality for same sex couples."

Philip Booth added: "This judgement has been handed down just days before we celebrate Gloucester's Rainbow march on 12th August. It underlines why we should never forget the political purpose of Pride festivals. The fight for full sexual equality is far from won."

Celia Kitzinger and Sue Wilkinson are now considering their next move very carefully. Finances clearly play - the court ordered them to pay £25,000! There are some key points to bear in mind resulting from the court judgment. The judge decided:

    1. There is discrimination against same-sex couples in denying us marriage

    2. Discrimination against lesbians and gay men is legally justified

    3. Civil partnerships and marriage are expressly different institutions

    4. Lesbian and gay couples are not ‘families’

Donate and read more at :
http://www.equalmarriagerights.org/

A link to the full judgement is available here:
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2006/2022.html