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A 'mini social revolution' in U.K.

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON JUNE 30. In a move, hailed as a "mini social revolution," the British Government today announced radical new plans to offer gay partners the same rights as married couples, even allowing them to register their partnerships and have a proper civil `wedding' ceremony.

The plans, published in a white paper, would remove legal hurdles that gay partners now encounter in their daily lives despite widespread social acceptance of same-sex relationships. They would now be entitled to same property rights and social security benefits as any married couple. At present, they are often denied even visiting rights to hospital if a partner is ill; and in the event of a death the surviving partner is not allowed to call himself or herself "next of kin."

Barbara Roche, a former Minister, who mooted the proposals before she was sacked in this month's reshuffle, said the same-sex couples would no longer remain outside the legal pale.

"It's a sign of a society which has modernised, it's come of age and it recognises that there are very, very many and very, very valid ways in which people lead their lives," she told a newspaper stressing that the proposals did not simply amount to giving social and legal recognition to gay rights but make gay relationships a "part of the fabric of our society."

Ironically, the move comes amid a bitter row in the Church of England over the appointment of a bishop who admitted to having been in a gay relationship many years ago. There are also sharp differences over allowing gay couples to have a Church wedding.

But the fact that they would now be able to register their partnerships has been described as a major victory for gay campaigners.

A gay Labour Member of European Parliament, Michael Cashman, said he was happy that the Government had finally addressed "this inequality." He said he and his partner had been living together for 20 years but were denied rights enjoyed by heterosexual partners. Gay rights groups said the move would benefit "hundreds of thousands of gay people in Britain" and urged the Government to push it through Parliament quickly.

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