Sir Elton John will be one of the first to benefit from the new Civil Partnership laws in England, when they come into effect on December 5th, 2005. He has announced plans to tie the knot with partner David Furnish before Christmas, most probably in Windsor, the site of the recent wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The new law does not use the term marriage, but is exactly the same as a civil marriage in rights and responsibilities. It covers only homosexual relationships. The Times of London announced at least one gay engagement in their forthcoming marriages column. The Church of England has not lent it's blessing, so to speak, to the new form of union.
The Civil Partnership Act was passed in 2004 with broad support, and won the Queen's Assent soon after. It defines a 'civil partnership' as 'a relationship between two people of the same sex ("civil partners") which is formed when they register as civil partners of each other'. It explicitly states that 'No religious service is to be used while the civil partnership registrar is officiating at the signing of a civil partnership document'
It excludes people from registering as civil partners if
(a) they are not of the same sex,
(b) either of them is already a civil partner or lawfully married,
(c) either of them is under 16, or
(d) they are within prohibited degrees of relationship.
and requires parental consent if one of the partners is under 18.
It also amends the laws relating to property, wills, parental responsibility, adoption, evidence and details the processes for dissolution and separation.
A host of services is springing up to service the new segment of the wedding market. Debt services, pension rights, wedding planners and celebration organizers and specialized legal services are all gearing up for D-Day 2005
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
very well done focus on the legal angle - thanks!
2 - alienboy
Another barrier to a good life falls, hurray for Elton!