Rural County to offer ceremonies for gay Civil Partnerships

"Rural County to offer ceremonies for gay Civil Partnerships"

- and that was the headline on ukgaynews.org just after the open meeting held on Thursday 28th July.

The group had issued invitations to the womens’ group, Friend Helpline and neighbouring Gay and Lesbian Groups.

The Coach and Horses also displayed an advert.  Ruth Pingriff, Deputy Superintendent at Gloucester Register

Office gave a talk on the impending Civil Partnership Act.  Due in on 5th December when the first Notice of

Intention can be given with the first Civil Partnership able to take place on December 21st.  Ruth explained

the way it works legally as far as entering the Partnership is concerned.  It is akin to marriage in that you

have to prove who you are, that you are free to enter into a legal Partnership.  You also need to prove your

address, nationality and know who you intend to enter into the Partnership with!  Other rules relating to marriag

also apply, for example: must be over 16, if under 18 then parental consent must be obtained and you must not be

related to each other etc.  It was a good turn and lots of questions and feedback.  Ruth was very keen to impress

on the Group that she did not just want to give out information, but gather views and opinions and what the gay

community would like to see offered.  A questionnaire was given out and copies are available if anyone else would

like to complete one.  Every reply counts – it is not often the gay community are consulted at this level by local

authorities and we need to make the best of it.  One point made clear was that the Notice of Intent has to be

displayed the same as a Notice of Marriage.  We were given several options but also re-assured that the legislation

does state that the addresses are not displayed to the public.  Amongst the controversy with some local authorities

saying they will refuse to offer Ceremonies, Gloucestershire Registration service were asking for our input into

what we would like to see in a choice of ceremony.  To quote Ruth “We want to make sure we are ready for Civil

Partnership and that we provide the service the community wants from us.  We are very open about how we provide the

service and want to hear from the gay and lesbian community.  Are we going down the right lines?

Facilities to give Notice and also to Register will be available at any of the 6 register offices in the county.

Ceremonies will also be offered at those venues as well as places like Hotels etc that are already registered for

marriages.  There is more to come and Ruth will join us again.  If you want more information or would like to make

a provisional booking, you can contact your local Register Office.

Gloucester Register Office can be reached on 01452 425275.

M.