UK CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS BILL CLEARS FINAL HURDLE: From the Scotsman

Government plans for so-called "gay weddings" passed their final hurdle in the Lords tonight -- after a three hour heated debate and protests that it would create unfair tax advantages for a minority.

The Civil Partnerships Bill gives gays and lesbians the right to form legally binding civil partnerships -- giving them the same tax, inheritance and tenancy rights as married couples.

It now awaits Royal Assent. ...

Baroness O'Cathain argued that the Bill was discriminatory because it would give inheritance and capital gains tax advantages to same sex couples that were not available to sisters, brothers, parents and children who looked after each other.

The death of an elderly sibling could often mean the one left faced great hardship and the loss of the family home. ...

Lord Tebbit called for a clear explanation from Lady Scotland adding "you said there was a clear distinction between civil partnerships as envisaged in this Bill and civil marriage.

"Would you elucidate now what that difference is?"

Lady Scotland replied: "One of the differences is consummation.

"In relation to marriage, for a marriage to be valid it has to be consummated by one man and one woman and there is a great deal of jurisprudence which tells you exactly what consummation amounts to, partial, impartial, penetration, no penetration.

"If you wish me to give a dissertation on family law I would be happy to do so. There is no provision for consummation in the Civil Partnerships Bill.

"We do not look at the nature of the sexual relationship, it is totally different in nature."

But Lord Tebbit said that if there was no question of consummation in a civil partnership why couldn't it be extended to people who have a close family relationships, such as two homosexual brothers?

Lady Scotland said it was improper for those related to one another to enter into a relationship, similar to that of marriage.

more

posted by Eve at 10:03 PM | link

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home