Straight couple refused civil partnership by Register Office
By A heterosexual couple from Bristol are to start a legal challenge after their application for a civil partnership was refused.
Ian Goggin, 21, and Kristin Skarsholt, 22, said they wanted the security and stability of a legal commitment without having to get married.
Ian Goggin and Kristin Skarsholt
At present only gay couples can apply for civil partnerships. The pair are among eight couples taking their case to the courts, arguing UK law is discriminatory.
Their bid is part of the Equal Love campaign, which seeks to overturn the twin prohibitions on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships.
Ms Skarsholt, 22, said: “We are disappointed that we were not able to have our relationship legally recognised. Ian and I genuinely wish to secure legal recognition as civil partners. We are determined to fight through the courts to end the legal segregation that continues to keep straight and gay couples in separate institutions.”
The campaign is organised by the gay rights group OutRage! and co-ordinated by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Mr Tatchell, who was in Bristol for the application, said the bans on same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships were a form of “sexual apartheid”.
Mr Goggin, 21, added: “Although the register staff were extremely helpful, they were unable to offer us a civil partnership. They felt obliged to act in accordance with the law as it currently stands. We thank them for their politeness. We regret this rejection but our resolve to carry on the campaign for equality remains strong.”
I totally support this campaign and think it's great, and about time. In fact, way back in February my "wife" and I (together 20 years, but not technically married) volunteered to be part of the test case. We weren't chosen, which is probably just as well because in May I found myself in charge of the Council department that includes the Registry Office… If we had been chosen I could have ended up in the odd position of taking my own department to court in the ECHR!