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Gay news: In less than 20 years the island has gone from the decriminalisation of sodomy to civil partnerships
By: John Howard
Bill will mirror that of the UK
Members of the Isle of Man's House of Keys are to debate a proposal to introduce civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples to the island's law.
The Civil Partnership Bill will have its first formal reading tomorrow February 24th and is intended to mirror that of the UK, providing same-sex couples with most of the rights of marriage.
Treasury minister Allan Bell said he hoped the new legislation would alter the perception that the island was homophobic.
As a crown dependency the island has its own legal system and sodomy was illegal until 1992, when the age of consent for male homosexual acts was set at 21 (in line with the UK at that time), but lowered to 18 in 1997 and 16 in 2006.
Bell told BBC News: "I think we have a far more tolerant and understanding community on the Isle of Man.
Bill will mirror that of the UK
Isle of Man to vote on civil partnerships
Members of the Isle of Man's House of Keys are to debate a proposal to introduce civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples to the island's law.
The Civil Partnership Bill will have its first formal reading tomorrow February 24th and is intended to mirror that of the UK, providing same-sex couples with most of the rights of marriage.
Treasury minister Allan Bell said he hoped the new legislation would alter the perception that the island was homophobic.
As a crown dependency the island has its own legal system and sodomy was illegal until 1992, when the age of consent for male homosexual acts was set at 21 (in line with the UK at that time), but lowered to 18 in 1997 and 16 in 2006.
Bell told BBC News: "I think we have a far more tolerant and understanding community on the Isle of Man.
“Gay relationships are considered as quite acceptable to most people.
"I think the other changes to legislation we have brought in, in relation to the gay issue, have brought the Isle of Man in line with the United Kingdom and indeed the rest of Europe.
"The stigma which we suffered very badly from in the early days has largely gone now and we can hold our head up high and claim we treat all our citizens as equal."
Presently, couples who entered into civil partnership in the United Kingdom are recognised by the Isle of Man's Department of Health and Social Security for pension purposes, but the other rights of a civil partnership are not provided.
"I think the other changes to legislation we have brought in, in relation to the gay issue, have brought the Isle of Man in line with the United Kingdom and indeed the rest of Europe.
"The stigma which we suffered very badly from in the early days has largely gone now and we can hold our head up high and claim we treat all our citizens as equal."
Presently, couples who entered into civil partnership in the United Kingdom are recognised by the Isle of Man's Department of Health and Social Security for pension purposes, but the other rights of a civil partnership are not provided.
