Religious service for Civil Partnerships draws nearer

Judy Kirby reports on developments that may bring same-sex marriage a step closer

by Judy Kirby 25th February 2010

Support is gathering behind the amendment to the Equality Bill presented by gay Labour peer lord Alli that would lift the ban on Civil Partnerships taking place in religious premises.  After an earlier defeat, lord Alli is trying again in the House of Lords on Tuesday, when Anglican bishops are expected to give support to his amendment. Quakers made the running on this issue when they agreed at their yearly meeting last summer to treat same-sex committed relationships the same as opposite sex ones, stopping short of asking Quaker registrars to break the law.