The inequity is a major reason why forbinproject and I aren't likely to get married anytime soon. (That and Friedrich Engels... maybe we think too much.)
What do you think of the proposals for a civil partnership register, by the way?
Anything that gives equality of rights is, in my book, a good thing. It does somewhat smack as 'second-best' though, which I find rather galling. We're not really supposed to get married but here's a little consolation prize to make us feel better.
I was hoping they were going to make the civil partnership register for heterosexuals as well. Then there's the legal and financial protection without having to do the whole patriarchal marriage thing. However the meeja and the more conservative politicians will probably scream "undermining marriage the fabric of society" before it gets passed for different-sex couples.
Also I could understand a gay attitude of "sod off, you can get married so why don't you" in response. The issue makes me feel ill at ease - tentative - worried about giving offence.
better or worse on the 'second-best' thing if it was for all flavours of longterm relationship?
For my money, the ideal outcome would be to have a Civil Partnership Register (to replace 'Registry Office weddings' entirely) simply to clarify legal issues resulting from a long-term partnership, regardless of gender or sexuality. Couples could follow this with a religious/secular ceremony of their choice if they so wished but this would be a matter of preference rather than law. A level playing field for all, that's what I say!
no subject
Date: 2003-10-16 09:58 am (UTC)What do you think of the proposals for a civil partnership register, by the way?
Civil Partnership Register
Date: 2003-10-16 02:17 pm (UTC)Re: Civil Partnership Register
Date: 2003-10-16 03:17 pm (UTC)Also I could understand a gay attitude of "sod off, you can get married so why don't you" in response. The issue makes me feel ill at ease - tentative - worried about giving offence.
better or worse on the 'second-best' thing if it was for all flavours of longterm relationship?
Re: Civil Partnership Register
Date: 2003-10-17 06:18 am (UTC)Re: Civil Partnership Register
Date: 2003-10-17 07:19 am (UTC)(although my liberal soul has now started twitching at excluding those of a polyamorous nature...)