A campaign to overturn the bans on gay marriage and heterosexual civil partnerships is to begin next month when eight couples will file applications at British register offices for ceremonies they are presently not allowed to hold.

Four same-sex couples will apply for civil marriage and four heterosexual couples for civil partnerships. Each week, up to 14 December, one of the eight couples will make an application. The campaign’s co-ordinator, Peter Tatchell, said there was growing political party support for an end to the bans as well as public support for same-sex couples. “Our aim is to overturn both the ban on same-sex marriage and the ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships.

“If they are refused, as we expect they will be, we plan to mount a legal challenge. We believe these bans violate the Human Rights Act and are open to challenge in the high court,” said Tatchell, of the lesbian and gay rights campaign group, OutRage! “Civil marriages and civil partnerships should be open to everyone without discrimination.”

Full Story from The Guardian

Click here for gay marriage resources in England.

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Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has called for Britain to introduce full marriage equality, in a statement released today. It reads: “Same-sex marriage is an idea whose time has come. It is the growing trend all over the world, from Canada to South Africa and Argentina.

“Why can’t we have marriage equality in Britain too? Political support for ending the ban on gay marriage is growing rapidly. London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and Conservative Party Vice-Chair, Margot James MP, have both come out in favour of allowing lesbian and gay couples to marry in a registry office, on the same terms as heterosexual partners.

“This view is also endorsed by the leader and the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg and Simon Hughes. Indeed, Hughes has predicted that the ban on same-sex marriage will go within five years.”

Full Story from the Pink Paper

Click here for gay marriage resources in England.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.