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The couple, who are supported by Peter Tatchell, say they may take their case to the European court of human rights
Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle
Application by straight couple for civil partnership rejected
A straight couple whose application for a civil partnership was rejected this morning will launch a legal challenge, saying they want the same legal rights as a husband and wife, but did not accept an institution that is closed to gay people.
Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle, both 25, applied for a civil partnership at Islington town hall in north London, using their initials and surnames. But in a letter of refusal they were told that the council could only sanction civil partnerships between people of the same sex.
The couple, who are supported by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, said they would take their case to the European court of human rights in Strasbourg if necessary. Freeman, a civil servant, said: "We are here to challenge the ban which is part of the system of segregation that ends up discriminating against gay and straight couples.
"Plenty of straight couples don't want to get married and marriage rates are going down. In a democratic society, all institutions should be open to all people regardless of their sexuality."
Doyle, also a civil servant, said: "It's very important to us and we want to push it forward. We don't agree with marriage and therefore the only way we can, with any conscience, formalise our relationship is with a civil partnership.
"We have been refused access to a legal institution on the grounds of our sexuality. We are disappointed and saddened by this."
A spokesman for Islington council said: "The law dictates that a civil partnership is only for couples of the same sex. The council must follow the law and so we have not been able to accept Mr Freeman and Ms Doyle's application for a civil partnership."
The couple said that they had been contacted by lawyers willing to pursue their case, with the help of Peter Tatchell, who said: "It's a clear act of discrimination. Just as it's wrong to discriminate against gay people, it's wrong to discriminate against heterosexual people. I'm hopeful we can find a way to challenge it."
