Britain to allow gay civil unions

http://www.wpherald.com/Family_Society/storyview.php?StoryID=20050222-125831-6107r

Britain to allow gay civil unions
By THE WASHINGTON TIMES
From combined dispatches
Published February 22, 2005


LONDON -- Same-sex partners in Britain will be able to enter into civil unions beginning in December, joining homosexuals in parts of Europe and the United States in obtaining many of the rights enjoyed by married couples, the government said yesterday.

The Civil Partnerships Bill passed by Parliament last year gives same-sex couples the right to form legally binding partnerships and entitles them to some of the same tax and pension rights that married couples have.

The Royal Navy yesterday also announced a drive to recruit homosexuals into the force. The navy has signed an agreement with the lobbying group Stonewall to promote homosexual rights in the force and is about to advertise in the homosexual press for the first time.

I'm troubled by the statemet that same-sex couples now have access only to SOME tax and pension rights.

But it's huge a step in the right direction, in that it's a nation-wide development.

Please don't post news stories over 24 hours old. Thanks.