Mixed sex civil partnerships a step closer

Mixed sex civil partnerships a step closer

A proposal to make civil partnerships available to different sex couples will strengthen equality and advance human rights in Scotland, according to a Holyrood committee.

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published its stage 1 report on the Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, which would allow different sex couples to have a civil partnership. Currently this option is only available to same-sex couples.

Extending civil partnerships would create legal and financial protection for those different sex couples who do not wish to marry for a range of symbolic, cultural and emotional reasons, the committee said.

MSPs on the committee also called for the Scottish government to consider whether the bill could be amended to allow already married couples to convert their marriage to a civil partnership.

The committee further recommended that guidance should be issued for the public, outlining the differences between marriage and civil partnership.

Committee convener Ruth Maguire MSP said: “The committee supports the Scottish government’s aim of advancing human rights and equality through the extension of civil partnerships to different sex couples.

“We recognise the importance of offering choice for couples to formalise their relationship and access the rights and protections which flow from that, in a way that they see fit.

“However, the committee heard evidence that if provisions to allow conversion from marriage to civil partnership are introduced in England and Wales, then Scotland could fall behind on matters of equality.

“We believe there is an opportunity to improve the bill by creating a provision to allow couples to convert their marriage to a civil partnership. Whilst there are undoubtedly legal challenges in this area, these could be overcome with careful legal drafting.”

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