Sunday, April 11, 2010

Will Britain be 'upgrading' from civil unions to gay marriage?

We all know a politician will say just about anything to get elected and such is the case with George Osborne (pictured), the right hand man to Britain's Conservative party leader, David Cameron. Britons will be electing a new government on May 6th, 2010 (see: United Kingdom general election, 2010). Osborne says that if elected his party would be "very happy" to consider same-sex marriage.

Will a Conservative British government pass legislation allowing same-sex marriage? Most likely not, as it is still a contentious moral issue with the country's religious right. Remember, Osborne has only said his party would "consider" it. This is neither a promise nor a commitment.

The Conservative Party is straining to appear as the progressive choice for gay and lesbian voters. Prime Minister Gordon Brown's ruling Labour Party is not very popular and is equally desperate for votes. For my money, I'd vote for the devil you know.

Civil partnerships have been legal in the UK since December 2005. The Civil Partnership Act give gays and lesbians most of the same rights as married couples.

A change in British law to same-sex marriage would definitely be a step towards full equality.

MORE COVERAGE

UK Tories seek to win back lesbian and gay support:
THE CONSERVATIVE Party has sought to repair relations with British gays and lesbians, following polling evidence that it has lost support among them after a senior Tory proposed that bed-and-breakfast owners should be legally allowed to bar gay couples from staying in their establishments. Several hundred gays and lesbians picketed the party’s London offices yesterday evening to protest at the remarks made recently by shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, during a meeting when he did not know that he was being recorded; while their leaders, including long-standing campaigner Peter Tatchell, met shadow chancellor, George Osborne. During the meeting with Mr Thatchell, Mr Osborne said the Conservatives would “be happy” to consider legalising gay marriages if they win power on May 6th, though there were complaints afterwards that he had been “too vague”.


UK Tories try to defuse gay rights protests:
If David Cameron was in any doubt about the anger caused by Chris Grayling's unfortunate slip on gay rights, they would have been quickly erased by a quick glance outside Conservative Party headquarters in Westminster yesterday. A band of around 400 gay rights activists launched a colourful protest outside the Millbank building, calling on the Tory leader to "Come Out" and discuss his policies for promoting equality for gay and lesbian people. Some clutched bunches of pink balloons, others posed for photographs as they kissed in front of Mr Cameron's famed "Time for Change" posters.