Equal Love

Don’t let church leaders block gay marriage

Make a submission to the government’s public consultation

Church leaders have mobilised around half a million people to sign a petition against UK government plans to legalise same-sex civil marriages.

We need to counter their opposition to marriage equality; otherwise you may never have the option of a same-sex marriage or an opposite-sex civil partnership. Lets achieve equal love for all.

Act now for Equal Love:

Make a submission to the government’s public consultation on legalising same-sex marriage:
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equal-civil-marriage

Copy and paste this model submission in Question 16 on the government consultation website:

Model submission:

I support full equality. I urge the government to legalise:

• Same-sex civil marriages
• Opposite-sex civil partnerships
• Religious same-sex marriages by clergy who wish to conduct them.

In addition:

• Civil partnerships should be retained for gay and straight couples who want an alternative to marriage.
• Existing civil partners should be given the option to convert their civil partnership into a civil marriage, with a special ceremony if they desire this.
• Any individual minister of religion licensed to conduct marriages should be free to conduct a same-sex marriage in their place of worship, if they wish to do so.
• Married transgender people should not be required to divorce their spouse before they can receive a gender recognition certificate.

The UK's twin legal bans on same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships are unjust discrimination. In a democratic society, everyone should be equal before the law. We urge that both civil marriages and civil partnerships should be open to gay and heterosexual couples, with no discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Background information:

Peter Tatchell, Coordinator of the Equal Love campaign and Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, reports:

“The UK government is committed to legalise same-sex civil marriage (not religious marriage) by 2015. But it is refusing to legalise opposite-sex civil partnerships and refusing to legalise same-sex religious marriages by faith organisations that want to conduct them.

“The government currently has a consultation process where it is seeking the views of the public. The deadline for submissions is 14 June 2012.

“It is very important that we support equality for all, including for LGBT couples who wish to get married, for heterosexual couples who want a civil partnership and for same-sex couples who’d like a religious marriage.

“In a democratic society we should all be equal before the law.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to equal treatment and protection against discrimination, including the right to marry.

“Legalising same -sex marriage is the recognition that LGBT people are of equal worth, equally part of humanity and have the right to the equal validation of their love.

“The same principle of equality applies in the case of civil partnerships. Heterosexual couples should be able to have a civil partnership if they wish.

“Many heterosexuals supported the campaign for LGBT equality. We should reciprocate by supporting their right to a civil partnership.

“By signing the petition and participating in the public consultation we can let the government know that we want equality in both civil marriage and civil partnership law. Help us send a message for universal equal rights. Let’s achieve equal love for all,” said Mr Tatchell.