LGBT rights:

'Family values' fears produce confused equality measures

CAMPAIGNERS HOPED that same-sex partners would get similar legal rights to married couples as the government published its white paper on civil partnerships this week. The changes would affect pensions, inheritance tax and property, and could also impact on social security and benefits.

Manny Thain

Although registers of partnerships have been set up in some areas - Bath, Brighton, Liverpool, London, Manchester, north-east Somerset and Swansea - these are not recognised in law.

Many pension schemes rule out passing benefits on to surviving same-sex partners. Bereavement benefits are unavailable, too. Same-sex couples cannot gain parental responsibility for each other's children. Currently, it's left to hospital staff's discretion to recognise same-sex partners, denying visiting rights if they don't.

And, while a spouse can register the death of a husband or wife, a same-sex partner cannot be classed as 'next of kin', sometimes resulting in long-term partners being excluded from loved ones' funerals. Tenancies cannot be passed on in the event of a partner's death, and a 40% inheritance tax is levied on property, whereas the surviving member of a married couple is exempt.

That some of these cruel anomalies could end is to be welcomed. Nonetheless, the timetable for change is painfully slow. Civil registration is to be introduced in England and Wales in 2010. The situation for Scotland and Northern Ireland is as yet unclear.

There could also be a 'qualifying period' and proof of a 'stable relationship' before couples could register. That this has already been raised shows that there will be many opportunities to water down and block the proposals. We can expect hysterical denunciations from sections of the media and religious groups. We can expect opposition in the House of Lords.

The rights will apply to those who sign an official document at a register office. Ironically, this will not be available as an alternative to heterosexual marriage, so unmarried straight couples will have the least rights of all.

The government says it does not wish to 'undermine marriage and stable families' and that gay and lesbian couples don't have the choice of marriage. So pandering to the 'family values' brigade will result in discrimination against heterosexual couples!

Lesbian and gay people will welcome improvements to their rights but it would be wrong to believe that homophobic prejudice is on the way out. It is prevalent in all walks of life. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have to continually fight for our rights.

We must campaign to ensure that all couples - gay and straight, married and unmarried - enjoy full and equal partnership rights.