It's about time!

Another something worth a mention…on December 5th, the Civil Partnership Bill will become law in the UK, which means gay and lesbian couples will be “entitled to a range of property rights, the same exemption as married couples on inheritance tax, social security and pension benefits, and also the ability to get parental responsibility for a partner’s children.", according to a BBC article.

“At-a-glance: Gay partnerships

Here are the key points of the Civil Partnerships Bill, which allows same-sex couples to get legal recognition for their relationships.

Tying the knot

• Couples would enter civil partnerships in local registration services
• Each partner would have to sign the register in the presence of the registration officer and two witnesses
• There would also be a formal, court-based process for dissolving the partnership

Main partnership rights

• Social security and pension benefits, including right to benefit from a dead partner’s pension
• Full recognition for life assurance schemes
• Ability to succeed to tenancy rights
• Next-of-kin visiting rights in hospitals

Responsibilities

• Providing reasonable maintenance for civil partners and children of the family
• Ability to gain parental responsibility for a partner’s children”