Are civil partnerships good enough?

Question

The UK only offers civil partnerships to same-sex couples, not full and equal civil marriage. Even marriages made in Canada are only recognised as 'civil partnerships' here. Is this satisfactory, or, like me, do you find it insulting and discriminatory?

Lol, no, I'm not considering one!

Fuff2005 - actually, civil marriage has nothing to do with God. There can be no reference to religion in a British civil marriage ceremony.

Answer 1

It's ridiculous. Gay men and women deserve the misery of marriage just like everyone else. I hope in our lifetime we will look back on the stupidity of the gov't when gay marriage was illegal. Buena suerte vaquero...espero que buscas el hombre correcto para ti!

Answer 2

Some people view it as a step to equality. Others are afraid that people will just say "You got this, you should be happy." The FACT is that it's NOT equality. In the states we have a history with the concept of "seperate but equal"; we know for a fact that that doesn't work. I'm not sure if I find it insulting, but it IS still discriminatory. (While it's not OK to have almost-marriage, I do recognize for the couples who want to take advantage of it that it IS better than nothing).

For the record, as mentioned above, I don't live in Britain or know the specifics. Is it, right now, exactly the same as marriage? It doesn't matter too much (though, in the states, civil unions are always less rights than full marriage), because you still have the opportunity for the government to change marriage law in the future without necessarily changing civil partnerships.

Answer 3

In the U.S., partners who are not married usually end up paying less tax than married couples, so I think that civil partnerships in that regard are better than marriage. However, the problem is that in order for people to accept that, then they must either be given the choice of civil marriage or be convinced that the institution of marriage isn't as sacred as many conservatives believe. That is to say, I honestly don't feel that there is anything wrong with having a "civil partnership," except that there's this notion in society that partnerships aren't marriage and never will be. I think people like you feel that civil partnerships are insulting and discriminatory because of the terminology - and i agree completely with you.

Civil partnerships are a viable option in society - they provide most of the necessary rights and responsibilities; however, they will never be the same as a civil marriage so long as people still discriminate against partnerships and insist on the nuances of terminology.

Answer 4

Civil Unions or Partnerships are better than nothing, but they do not go far enough to address the issues of equality for same sex couples.

When people talk about gay marriage, they miss the point. This isn't about gay marriage. It's about marriage. It's about family. It's about love. It isn't about religion. It's about civil marriage licenses.

Churches can and should have the right to say no to marriage for gays in their congregations, just as Catholics say no to divorce, but divorce is still a civil option. These family values are not options for a happy and stable life. They are necessities.

Putting gay relationships in some other category — civil unions, domestic partnerships, whatever — may alleviate real human needs and , but by their very euphemism, by their very separateness, they actually build a wall between gay people and their families.

The Constitution is still the supreme law of this land, and same-sex couples should be given the same legal benefits and protections, as well as the basic human dignity and acceptance that those protections and benefits convey, that heterosexual couples are given as an unquestioned, unconditional right.

Answer 5

As an outsider, this is an unbiased reply to your question.
First, you have to ask yourself on how you feel now. You
must be happy but would this "civil partnership" make you
any the happier? If so, go ahead and do it. I have no axe
to grind with gay couples so I would say "yes" it is discriminating.
But will the law change and allow you an equal or full civil
marriage? If so, even if you accept the present situation of
a civil partnership, you will be able to up-grade to full status
whenever it is approved. Personally, If I were in your shoes,
I would take what is on offer at present and continue fighting
for your rights peacefully, because I believe these civil rights
will become full rights sometime. Take all the happiness that is
afforded you at present and this, added to the many other
couples in your situation, will force lawmakers to change,
The more the better, the fewer is the worst scenario?
I wish you all the happiness in the world and success at
all levels. Go man, do it and God bless. PS. Iain is my true
name and I use none else since I stand behind what I say.

Answer 6

There is no legal difference between the rights of those in a civil partnership and those who are 'married'. The term civil partnership is merely a different label. I agree, nobody likes to be labeled, but I for one am happy that the British government chose to make the landmark decision to recognise and reinforce the legal rights of those who make a commitment to a same sex partnership. I do not find it insulting or discriminatory in any fashion whatsoever. If I chose to object to this great decision to allow gay/lesbian couples full legal rights just because of the name it is called.. I might as well object to them being called gay or lesbian at all.. because it gives them a name that is 'different' to the norm. *shrugs* many of the people I know are proud to be called gay or lesbian.. it may not be the whole of who they are, but it is a part of them they are not ashamed to have named. I would be proud to be part of a civil partnership.

[EDIT] For the record, yes I am British and the specific entitlements of civil partnership in Britain are legally exactly the same as those for marriage. Unfortunately, I don't know much about similar 'civil' arrangements in other parts of the world, but the ones in Britain are fair and equal. I should have placed this in my sources when I first posted, but for those of you still reading, the link to the full government legal document for the UK Civil Partnership Act is in my sources now.

Answer 7

It is insulting and discriminatory. The fact that a convicted spouse abuser could get remarried with all the respect and benefits that same sex couples don't receive is a revolting inequity. Either marriage is not just a religious thing and thus everyone is entitled to it and all that comes with it, or it is simply a religious thing and thus the tax breaks and benefits sharing should be stripped from all marriage. The fact that they want to have it both ways partnered with the fact that no one proposes not allowing other groups to marry (like the aforementioned spouse-abusers) should make it glaringly obvious that the anti-gay marriage movement is simply a movement of hate and bigotry.

Answer 8

Here is what makes sense for me. EVERYONE should be entitled to a civil contract sanctioned by the state. Gay, Lesbian, Straight, any two people who wish to form a union. The state should provide NOTHING that is called "marriage."

Then the various churches and other religious bodies may choose to perform marriage ceremonies for whom ever they believe they should be performing them. Some Churches may not do gay weddings, others might. But the church wedding (marriage) should not suffice as a civil union. If a couple (ANY couple) wants to be fully united civilly and religiously, they would need to do both!

This is fair, respects everyone, and will never happen.

Answer 9

they would only be "good enough" if they provided us with the exact same benefits of marriage. to me, it's separate, but not equal. my partner and I have had a commitment ceremony, but we really want to be legally married. Also, here in St. Louis, we are able to and have registered our domestic partnership. I think it's still insulting and discriminatory for the right-wingers to insist that this would be just as good/the same. we want marriage!

Answer 10

I feel the same as you, i mean, it's like some form of justification, like they think it will make everything better, but it won't, and we shouldnt allow it to! I mean, with the civil partnerships, we still don't get any of the benefits that an actual "married couple" gets! It's wrong!

Answer 11

I'm a lesbian and I feel that as long as the civil partnerships or unions provide us with the same benefits of a heterosexual couple,then there's nothing wrong.