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In June 2003 the Government issued a consultation paper on a Civil Partnership registration scheme for same-sex couples in England and Wales. The Government proposes to create a way for same-sex couples to gain legal recognition of their relationship and to gain access to a range of rights and responsibilities.
This proposal met with significant support and the Government's
intention to bring forward a Civil Partnership Bill was
announced in the Queen's Speech on 26 November 2003.
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In December 2003, the Employment Directive, which outlawed discrimination and harassment in the workplace on the grounds of sexual
orientation, came into force. The new law means that it will be unlawful to deny lesbian, gay and bisexual people jobs because of prejudice. It will enable individuals to take prompt and effective action to tackle harassment, and enable people to have an equal chance of training and promotion, whatever their sexual orientation.
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The Local Government Act 2003 repealed section 28, an unnecessary piece of legislation that has
offended many gay and lesbian people by stigmatising their lifestyles.
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In the Sexual Offences Act 2003 the Government changed laws to ensure they do not discriminate unfairly on the grounds of gender or sexual orientation. In practice this means that, for the first time, the law relating to sexual offences will be the same for heterosexual and LGB people.
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The Adoption and Children Act 2002, will ensure that same-sex couples will be able to apply to adopt a child jointly. This will help achieve the Government’s objective of increasing the number of vulnerable children who have the opportunity, through adoption, to grow up as part of a loving, stable and permanent
family.
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In November 2002, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) launched a Public Policy Statement aimed at combating homophobic violence. The statement gives a strong message that homophobic crimes are not acceptable, incidents should be reported and those responsible will be prosecuted.
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office launched the 'Know Before You
Go' campaign, which gives information to British LGBT travellers abroad.
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The Government extended overseas allowances to married and unmarried couples, including same-sex partners.
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The Housing Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes to equalize the rights of same-sex couples to succeed to a tenancy.
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The Don’t Suffer in Silence initiative — (launched in December 2000 and available from DfES
publications) — offers practical help to tackle all kinds of bullying amongst pupils in schools, including homophobic bullying.
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The white paper “Civil Registration — Vital Change” recommends that the right to register deaths be extended to ‘life partners’. Government recognises that existing rules cause distress to partners at a very upsetting time.
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Since April 2003 there is also a new right for parents of young children to request a
flexible working pattern. Same-sex partners of a biological parent will also be able to request to work flexibly if they have responsibility for the upbringing of the child.
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Since April 2003 there is also a new right for parents of young children to request a flexible working pattern. Same-sex partners of a biological parent will also be able to request to work flexibly if they have responsibility for the upbringing of the child.
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The immigration rules now make provision for an unmarried partner in a long-term relationship to apply for leave to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their relationship with a British citizen or person present and settled in the UK. The relationship can be either a heterosexual or same-sex relationship.
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In April 2001 the Home Office revised the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to include long-term same-sex partners as qualifying relatives in fatal cases.
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The age of consent for gay men was equalised in January 2001.
