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| Civil partnerships: Law to change for mixed-sex couples | Civil partnerships: Law to change for mixed-sex couples |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| All couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership rather than get married, Theresa May has announced. | All couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership rather than get married, Theresa May has announced. |
| The move will give mixed-sex couples and their families the option of greater security, the government said. | The move will give mixed-sex couples and their families the option of greater security, the government said. |
| And it will address the "imbalance" that allows same-sex couples to choose between a civil partnership or marriage - a choice denied to mixed-sex couples. | And it will address the "imbalance" that allows same-sex couples to choose between a civil partnership or marriage - a choice denied to mixed-sex couples. |
| A couple who campaigned for the right said it was a "major step" forward. | |
| But they said they would only celebrate "when legislation is agreed." | |
| Others have taken to social media to welcome the news and even take the extra step of proposing civil partnerships to their partners. | |
| Catherine Oakley sent a message on WhatsApp to her boyfriend Sam, who she describes as "the embodiment of understatement", asking him to "not marry me". | |
| "It's not the most romantic or conventional of proposals," she told the BBC. | |
| "Marriage comes with historical, religious and gendered connotations - this offers a blank canvas. | |
| "It's uncharted territory, so you can make it your own." | |
| The proposed change comes after the Supreme Court, in June, ruled in favour of Rebecca Steinfeld, 37, and Charles Keidan, 41, who wanted to be allowed to have a civil partnership. | |
| The court said that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. | The court said that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. |
| The Scottish government is also now carrying out a consultation on allowing mixed-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships. | |
| What are civil partnerships? | What are civil partnerships? |
| They were created in 2004 to give same-sex couples - who at the time couldn't marry - similar legal and financial protection to a marriage. They weren't available to mixed-sex couples. | They were created in 2004 to give same-sex couples - who at the time couldn't marry - similar legal and financial protection to a marriage. They weren't available to mixed-sex couples. |
| Then, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 did the same there. | Then, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 did the same there. |
| Since then, same-sex couples there have been able to choose between marriage or civil partnerships - except in Northern Ireland, where they are still not able to marry. | Since then, same-sex couples there have been able to choose between marriage or civil partnerships - except in Northern Ireland, where they are still not able to marry. |
| But the opposite didn't become true - mixed-sex couples didn't get the right to a civil partnership. That's what's now set to change. | But the opposite didn't become true - mixed-sex couples didn't get the right to a civil partnership. That's what's now set to change. |
| In a civil ceremony there is no requirement to exchange vows and, while you can include readings, songs or music, there must be no religious component. | In a civil ceremony there is no requirement to exchange vows and, while you can include readings, songs or music, there must be no religious component. |
| Why do mixed-sex couples want this right? | Why do mixed-sex couples want this right? |
| There are a range of reasons people give for not wanting to get married. | There are a range of reasons people give for not wanting to get married. |
| High on the list, the feeling among some that marriage as an institution doesn't reflect their equal relationship because of its roots in traditional gender roles. | High on the list, the feeling among some that marriage as an institution doesn't reflect their equal relationship because of its roots in traditional gender roles. |
| The prime minister, who is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference, said the move would give all couples the same choices in life. | The prime minister, who is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference, said the move would give all couples the same choices in life. |
| "This change in the law helps protect the interests of opposite-sex couples who want to commit, want to formalise their relationship but don't necessarily want to get married," she said. | "This change in the law helps protect the interests of opposite-sex couples who want to commit, want to formalise their relationship but don't necessarily want to get married," she said. |
| Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan campaigned for four years to get the law changed and more than 130,000 people signed an online petition in support of civil partnerships for everyone. | Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan campaigned for four years to get the law changed and more than 130,000 people signed an online petition in support of civil partnerships for everyone. |
| The couple said the "legacy of marriage... treated women as property for centuries" and was not an option for them. | The couple said the "legacy of marriage... treated women as property for centuries" and was not an option for them. |
| "We want to raise our children as equal partners and feel that a civil partnership - a modern, symmetrical institution - sets the best example for them," they added. | "We want to raise our children as equal partners and feel that a civil partnership - a modern, symmetrical institution - sets the best example for them," they added. |
| What protections do you get from a civil partnership? | What protections do you get from a civil partnership? |
| Beyond the issues of principle, there are many practical reasons for why some unmarried couples might now want to enter into a civil partnership. | Beyond the issues of principle, there are many practical reasons for why some unmarried couples might now want to enter into a civil partnership. |
| As the BBC's legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman explains, there are currently some 3.3 million co-habiting couples in the UK. | As the BBC's legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman explains, there are currently some 3.3 million co-habiting couples in the UK. |
| Many of them believe they are in a so-called common law marriage and possess similar rights and protections to those enjoyed by married couples and civil partners - but they don't. | Many of them believe they are in a so-called common law marriage and possess similar rights and protections to those enjoyed by married couples and civil partners - but they don't. |
| It can cause enormous distress when co-habiting partners find out - often on separation or the death of their partner - that they have far fewer inheritance, property and pension rights than they had thought. | It can cause enormous distress when co-habiting partners find out - often on separation or the death of their partner - that they have far fewer inheritance, property and pension rights than they had thought. |
| Becoming civil partners means couples will get these benefits without having to get married. | Becoming civil partners means couples will get these benefits without having to get married. |
| The government said there were "a number of legal issues to consider, across pension and family law" and ministers would now consult on the technical detail. | The government said there were "a number of legal issues to consider, across pension and family law" and ministers would now consult on the technical detail. |
| Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt promised that the change in the law would happen "as swiftly as possible". | Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt promised that the change in the law would happen "as swiftly as possible". |
| How have campaigners reacted? | How have campaigners reacted? |
| Mr Keidan said the couple had become "accidental campaigners" on the issue, but told BBC News: "It wasn't just about us. There are many, many thousands of couples who would wish to form a civil partnership." | Mr Keidan said the couple had become "accidental campaigners" on the issue, but told BBC News: "It wasn't just about us. There are many, many thousands of couples who would wish to form a civil partnership." |
| He said he now wanted the law to change and to know when the first mixed-sex civil partnerships would happen. | He said he now wanted the law to change and to know when the first mixed-sex civil partnerships would happen. |
| Ms Steinfeld added: "Charlie and myself can finally formalise our relationship in the way we see fit." | Ms Steinfeld added: "Charlie and myself can finally formalise our relationship in the way we see fit." |
| Civil rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has backed the couple, said the announcement was "wonderful news". | Civil rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has backed the couple, said the announcement was "wonderful news". |
| "The government's decision was a necessary response to the judgement of the highest court in the land," he added. | "The government's decision was a necessary response to the judgement of the highest court in the land," he added. |
| Martin Loat, of the Equal Civil Partnerships campaign, also welcomed it as "another important step forward towards civil partnerships for all." | Martin Loat, of the Equal Civil Partnerships campaign, also welcomed it as "another important step forward towards civil partnerships for all." |
| He added: "Legislation would be fair, popular and promote stable families. | He added: "Legislation would be fair, popular and promote stable families. |
| "A promise is a promise but what we need now is action, and soon." | "A promise is a promise but what we need now is action, and soon." |
| Do you think this is a good idea? Would you prefer a civil partnership or a marriage? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Do you think this is a good idea? Would you prefer a civil partnership or a marriage? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |