Why Are Straight Couples Not Allowed The Same Options As Gay And Lesbian Couples?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-g-tatchell/civil-partnerships_b_5536994.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

/// Since the legalisation of same-sex civil marriage, for the first time in British history, gay and lesbian couples have a legal advantage over straight ones. Same-sex couples have two options: civil marriage and civil partnership. In contrast, opposite-sex couples have only one option: marriage. This is profoundly unjust and unfair. ///

[pixie373]

Possibly true, jno, although no way of knowing and i don't think that's a good enough reason to legally prevent them. The same rights should be available to all.

[askyourgran]

I agree woofgang, I did make that point in my post earlier. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but in my book marriage was bound by two people of the opposite sex. Nowadays everyone is wanting the equality that was unheard of in my youth. Call it what you will ColinandJess I grew up in England not Pakistan, my rights to walk down the street with a man dont come into it. I married a man fgs, votes for women have come and gone. We are talking about Barry and Harry getting married and also having civil partnership rights, they have the choice that we ordinary couples don't. Equality it is not.

[EcclesCake]

When did I lose the vote?

[sp1814]

AYG

Those in CPs don't actually have any more rights than those in marriages.

And in one very important respect (pension rights) they have less.

[askyourgran]

We still have it Eccles, but the day of chucking ourselves under horses for it has gone.

[sp1814]

But I agree that having CPs and marriages available to gay couples, but not straight couples, is not right.

However, it will be down to the public to lobby for this. It can't just be left to Peter Tatchell and a few protestors. It would be interesting to see some opinion polls on this. If it transpires that very few people care, then there will not be the political will to make the change.

It's all down to that. How many people support straight CPs, how many are against it, and how many don't care. If the former is a significant number, and pressure is kept up - it WILL happen.

[pixie373]

I don't care, for one. Didn't this just come about to "fob off" gay couples, really, so they could have a union, but not be allowed to marry?

[jno]

oh, I agree, pixie. I just suspect it's all being got up by professional moaners who don't actually care either way. Did aog ever suggest two-sex couples should be allowed civil partnerships, before gays were allowed to marry? Did anyone?

[pixie373]

-same reasons, i think CJ. The church only ever respected men and those that were heterosexual, at that. All comes from the same ignorance.

[askyourgran]

Yes i think it did pixie, but the gays lobbied for marriage and David Cameron decided to give them the choice, (but later said he didn't mean to). sp It will depend on how many people take to the idea. More and more young couples are living together without bothering with the expense or the need for the religious service of marriage so the idea of a binding partnership could be the way forward.

[ummmm]

Getting married isn't expensive.

[pixie373]

Yes, perhaps it will become more popular, as marriage is seen as outdated more. Are there actually any advantages to a CP that don't come with a marriage?

[jno]

no in-laws?

[askyourgran]

Ummm. some weddings I have been to are very expensive. If you want to have a place to live as well, you can't afford to do it. Anything between £5,000 and £10.000 for the full blown wedding with bells on.

C&J "Am I glad that I have the vote.. and that I can walk down the street beside men". What are you on about ! Only in Pakistan do women walk behind their men, and I see nothing odd about describing a same sex partnership a between Barry & Harry, I note that you are ColinandJess so the difference is between your sexes?.

[ummmm]

They are the names of her dogs!

Gran...all the extras are expensive. No one has to have a massive party. You can go to the register office, get married, go home.

[Zeuhl]

Because it is the result of the administration introducing a half-baked solution to the legitimate calls for equality from gay people.

Now that gay marriage has been formalised CP is an untidy left over.

[pixie373]

Lol. Good point, jno!

[Zeuhl]

One solution might be that following the introduction of Gay Marriage, the option for CP is 'frozen'.

So those CPs that currently exist remain, but no more can be registered.

[askyourgran]

Good point zeul but what's the odds that someone kicks up about it now.