First Irish Public Civil Partnerships Take Place
PINK NEWS: Ireland’s first public civil partnership ceremonies were due to take place this afternoon.

The law came into force on January 1st, although the vast majority of couples were required to give three months notice of their intent to tie the knot.

Six couples who obtained a special court exemption have had civil partnerships since February 7th. The couples, who all requested privacy, will have been granted exemptions on compassionate grounds, for example, when one partner is terminally ill.

Today, Dublin couple Hugh Walsh and Barry Dignam will be the first to have a civil partnership without a court exemption. Another couple is expected to follow them. » | Jessica Geen | Tuesday, April 05, 2011

A Very Modern Military Partnership
THE INDEPENDENT: Only 10 years ago, the Army was expelling soldiers for homosexuality. Now gay weddings get the regimental blessing. Terri Judd reports

The civil partnership ceremony at which L/Cpl James Wharton, of the Household Cavalry, married Thom McCaffrey, a regimental first. Photo: The Independent
One groom wore ceremonial uniform with his Iraq medal, the other morning dress with an orchid. Surrounded by silverware and paintings commemorating great battles, Lance Corporal James Wharton, 23, and his new husband enjoyed their first dance to Tina Turner in the warrant officers' mess of the most prestigious regiment in the land.

The Household Cavalry, famed for escorting the Queen during state occasions and the fact that it counts both her grandsons among its officers, celebrated its first gay wedding in style. L/Cpl Wharton was joined in a civil partnership with his boyfriend, the Virgin air steward Thom McCaffrey, 21, surrounded by members of L/Cpl Wharton's regiment, the Blues and Royals.

"The entire regiment has been really supportive," he said. "When I went to ask the Squadron Leader, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, for permission to get married, he just said 'This is fantastic, congratulations'."

"The lads joked it was the gay event of the year. Everyone was excited. It was the talk of the barracks. This generation of soldiers is completely liberal," added the junior non-commissioned officer, whose only regret was that some of his friends would not be back from Afghanistan in time to enjoy the nuptials.

Just over 10 years ago, before a ban on homosexuality was lifted, gay soldiers faced interrogation and expulsion from the Army if discovered. But, in a very visible sign of the changing times, L/Cpl Wharton was given permission to host his wedding reception at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Knightsbridge barracks.

"Colour, creed, age and who you sleep with all become irrelevant when you're both being shot at. All that matters to me is that he is an effective, well-trained and fit operational soldier," said his troop leader, Captain Michael Fry. "I hope people will focus less on L/Cpl Wharton's sexuality, and more on the fact that he is a good soldier." >>> Terri Judd | Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lord Alli: A Victory for Religious Freedom
THE TELEGRAPH: Lord Alli has hit back at criticism from religious leaders over whether gay civil partnership ceremonies should be allowed in churches. Here he lays out his case.

In the House of Lords on Tuesday there was a landmark decision, allowing Civil Partnerships between gay couples to take place in religious buildings.

The debate took place against the background of a growing number of religious denominations such as the Quakers, Liberal Judaism and the Unitarian Church publicly stating that they wanted to host these ceremonies on their premises.

The essence of the debate was whether or not they should be allowed to do it.

There can be no doubting the immense difference that Civil Partnerships have made to British life since the first ceremonies were performed just over four years ago.

People from all walks of life have been able to celebrate as they watched their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters, their uncles and aunts entering into lasting unions with their partners.

Indeed, it does seem rather strange that the Church of England shouldn’t encourage Civil Partnerships since, as with marriage, they promote stable and committed relationships.

I couldn’t agree more with the 20 bishops and former bishops who wrote to The Times last week, arguing that “to deny people of faith the opportunity of registering the most important promise of their lives in their willing church or synagogue, according to its liturgy, is plainly discriminatory,” and who urged that “every peer who believes in spiritual independence or in non-discrimination” should support the move.

Over 120 peers turned up to listen and take part in the debate, with the resolution ultimately gaining support from all parties. >>> Waheed Alli | Sunday, March 07, 2010

THE GUARDIAN: Lord Waheed Alli >>>

After Tory Leader Reveals His List of Ethnic Candidates, Cameron's Rainbow 1st Eleven
THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: In the latest development in his campaign to show how dramatically the Tories have changed, David Cameron has published the party’s first-ever official list of openly gay MPs.

The Conservatives say they have 20 openly gay candidates standing in the Election. Of those, 11 told party chiefs they were ‘happy’ to be named in the first authorised list of gay Conservative candidates.

It has led some to suggest jokingly that the Tories might change the party’s traditional blue colour to the rainbow flag of the gay movement.

Publication of the list followed a claim by Shadow Minister Nick Herbert that if the Tories win the forthcoming General Election there could be up to 15 openly gay Conservative MPs. That compares to three at present, including Mr Herbert.

The move follows similar increases in the number of Tory women and ethnic minority candidates. It has led to a backlash from some grassroots activists, who claim the changes have been forced on them by Mr Cameron. Others say it has made the Conservative Party look more modern.

In a speech authorised by Mr Cameron, Mr Herbert said the party had ended the domination of ‘male, white, professional, grey-suited and straight’ Tory MPs. >>> Simon Walters and Brendan Carlin | Sunday, March 07, 2010

Austrian Parliament OKs Gay Civil Unions
ASSOCIATED PRESS: VIENNA — Austria's parliament passed legislation Thursday allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, a move hailed by proponents as a historic win for gay rights in the country.

The bill, slated to become law Jan. 1, will give same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts, including access to a pension if one partner dies and alimony in the event of a split.

"We are living in the 21st century and I'm very glad this step is being taken today," Justice Minister Claudia Bandion-Ortner said during parliamentary debate leading up to the vote.

Christian Hoegl, co-president of the Homosexual Initiative Vienna, Austria's oldest group of gays and lesbians, agreed.

"It's a relief, a big success and a reward for two decades of lobbying," Hoegl said. >>> Veronika Oleksyn (AP) | Thursday, December 10, 2009

Strache: "Homo-Ehe gegen Willen der Österreicher"
DIE PRESSE: Mit den Stimmen von SPÖ, ÖVP sowie einigen Abgeordneten von BZÖ und Grünen hat der Nationalrat das Gesetz zur Eingetragenen Partnerschaft für Homosexuelle beschlossen. Die Debatte war teils emotional.

Mit den Stimmen von SPÖ, ÖVP, sowie je drei Grün- und zwei BZÖ-Stimmen, hat der Nationalrat am Donnerstag das Gesetz beschlossen, das homosexuellen Paaren künftig die Eintragung ihrer Partnerschaft ermöglicht. Während die Wiener Homosexuellen-Initiative mit rosa Punschkrapfen für ein Ja zum Gesetzesentwurf warb, und Justizministerin Claudia Bandion-Ortner einen "großen, historischen Schritt" lobte, ist die Opposition - aus unterschiedlichen Gründen - nicht ganz glücklich über den Entwurf. FPÖ: Geheule des Zeitgeists >>> beba | Donnerstag, 10. Dezember 2009

Ireland Moves Toward Gay Marriage as Church Influence Wanes
FORTH: Civil partnership likely to be approved but many want marriage

Despite being rocked by strikes, scandals and financial collapse, Ireland’s social transformation continues unabated. Thursday December 3 saw the latest rupture from the past as the Republic of Ireland became the latest country to begin the process of affording recognition to same-sex couples. Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s parliament, read and debated the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 introduced by Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern.

The Bill would, if passed, grant same-sex couples rights in relation to domestic violence, residential tenancies, succession, refugee law, pensions, medical care, access to state benefits and immigration.

Opposition to the Bill was muted. Minister Ahern has told his colleagues, Fianna Fáil lawmakers, concerned about the Civil Partnership Bill that he is ruling out a “freedom of conscience” amendment that would allow any organisations run people offended by homosexuality, such as Church halls and wedding photographers, to consider same-sex couples unmarried.

The Bill’s passage into law this month is virtually assured because of strong backing by opposition parties. However, reaction to the Bill from gay rights organisations has been mixed. >>> | Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Alan Duncan, the First Conservative MP to Enter Into a Gay Civil Partnership
Photo of Alan Duncan and his soon-to-be partner courtesy of The Sunday Times
THE SUNDAY TIMES: Alan Duncan is the first Conservative MP to enter a civil partnership. He tells how his nuptials are going down with the blue-rinse brigade

In the dying days of her leadership, Margaret Thatcher was fleetingly celebrated as a gay icon after being admired by the camp artists Gilbert and George. But her private views on homosexuality were assumed to be anything but liberal, particularly after she helped to power through a law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

Now, however, the Iron Lady could have the opportunity to set the record straight – by accepting an invitation to attend the gay “wedding” of her old friend Alan Duncan.

In a few months the dapper shadow enterprise secretary will become the first Tory MP to enter into a civil partnership when he ties the knot with his boyfriend, James Dunseath. (MPs who have already taken the plunge include Ben Bradshaw and David Borrow, both Labour.)

Apparently, at least 300 guests will be attending the ceremony, due to take place before the end of July. Duncan won’t say if Lady Thatcher’s invitation will be dropping through her letterbox soon, but it would be odd if she were left out. He and Thatcher have been close for years and often dine together.

There is no doubt, though, that section 28, the legislation that her government introduced to stop “loony lefties” teaching schoolchildren about gays, gave the Conservative party a long-standing and damaging reputation for homophobia. It is only now, under the leadership of David Cameron, that the party has finally shaken off that image, promoting instead an inclusive, nondiscriminatory attitude towards gays.

Duncan, for his part, claims that he hasn’t detected the slightest whiff of disapproval about his forthcoming civil partnership from even the most traditional figures in the party. “You should see my mailbag. I’ve had so much support,” he says. “People are saying, ‘Thank God for that – at last we can see off the last vestiges of sniping, sneering and disapproval.’ They are just writing to say, ‘Thank you, now the world can grow up and get real’ – and it’s great.” My big fat gay Tory wedding >>>

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