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No to Gay Marriage ââ¬â Yes to Civil Partnerships
Gay couple on their wedding day
Vote for Civil Partnerships ââ¬â not gay marriage
A leading gay rights campaigner for same-sex couples is urging people to vote against gay marriage – and for Civil Partnerships.
Gino Meriano, founder of the UK Pink Weddings Group, says: “A Civil Partnership is a legally binding contract between two people and one which should not be taken lightly.
“This allows our community the same rights as opposite-sex couples without the need for us to call it a marriage.”
Meriano has teamed up with UnifiedVoice, an organisation dedicated to supporting the rights of all Americans, regardless of sexual preference.
Together they are planning a new proposition for the introduction of Civil Partnerships in the state of Arizona.
Arizona recently approved Proposition 102 which states “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognised as a marriage.”
It’s felt that not using the word “marriage” would separate the idea from any religious attachments that have been the issue preventing equality across the USA.
“I’m not someone who promotes same-sex marriage,” says UnifiedVoice founder, Philip Cotton, “but I do believe in Civil Partnerships.
“I don’t think this should inhibit your core beliefs about what marriage is. I think most Americans’ marriage and faith are strong enough to afford every American these basic civil rights.”
“It’s time for a change, “says Meriano. “This new prop will give same-sex couples the legal rights they have wanted for years and the chance to finally be accepted as equal in the eyes of the law. Even Senator John McCain stated that we as the 'people' can enter into a legal agreement."
The Civil Partnership Act became a reality in the UK in December 2005.
As previously reported on Pride Life, Elton John has also gone on record as favouring Civil Partnerships over same-sex marriage
