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The Civil Partnership Act was never supposed
to be a ‘warm up’ for full marriage, but an
end in itself. Introduced by the Labour
Government in 2004, it was intended to offer
as close to the same rights as heterosexual
couples without upsetting the traditional
marriage stalwarts. But fairly soon after CPs
were introduced, it became clear that the
pressure was mounting for full marriage. But
now that the goal of equal marriage has been
achieved, do we still need CPs? And has the
situation now in fact become prejudice against
opposite sex couples?
There are realistically three options – get rid of
CPs altogether, keep them as a second option
to marriage for same sex couples or open up
Civil Partnerships to everybody. And there are
good arguments for and against all options.
Getting rid of CPs would be a quick and easy
way to level the playing field. If only marriage
is on offer, the situation instantly becomes
equal. But obviously there is a down side. If
CPs are wiped away, then what happens to
couples already in one? Do they suddenly
lose their relationship status and have to
marry? And what about choice? While most
LGBTs were keen to be given the option of
marriage for the purposes of equality, there are
still many who don’t want to ‘buy in’ to the
institution of marriage. For them, a CP is ideal.
The second option is what we have right now.
A couple in a CP can either stick with what
they have got or get their CP converted to a
marriage by filling in a form. Same sex couples
who are not married or in a CP also still have
the option of either. However, this still only
applies to same sex couples. A heterosexual
couple, who may also prefer a CP for a number
of reasons, still can’t have one.
The last option means that anybody can
have a CP, whether they are a same-sex
couple or not. This is the preferred option of
most activists and the only thing that seems
to be holding it back is that it is the most
complex option! The extra administration to
implement same sex married has just been paid
for and the Government may be reluctant to
now spend out more to open up CPs for same
sex couples.
So it seems as though, for now, the situation
will stay the same. Long term is anybody’s
guess. CPs will either die a slow death or
become a completely new institution. If
couples continue to choose a CP over a
wedding, then no doubt the institution will
stay, but the chances are marriage will eclipse
the humble Civil Partnership and encourage
the Government to do away with them
altogether.
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