Stonewall says we need to do 'heavy lifting' to push through gay marriage in UK after lesbian adoption ruling in Strasbourg.
European judges have backed a previous decision by the French courts to refuse a woman the adoption of her lesbian partner’s child.
French couple Valerie Gas and Nathalie Dubois complained to the European Court of Human Rights after one of the women had her application to adopt her partner's child denied.
The pair, who have a civil partnership, maintained that their right to private and family life had been infringed in a way which discriminated against them in comparison with opposite-sex couples, whether married or not.
However, judges in Strasbourg ruled that there was no evidence of a difference in treatment based on the applicants’ sexual orientation and that opposite sex civil partners would also be prohibited from obtaining a simple adoption order.
Judges said: ‘The court reiterated that the European Convention on Human Rights did not require member states’ governments to grant same-sex couples access to marriage.
‘If a state chose to provide same-sex couples with an alternative means of recognition, it enjoyed a certain margin of appreciation regarding the exact status conferred.’
The court’s decision follows the launch of a 12-week consultation on gay marriage in the UK and rights group Stonewall said the ruling highlights the importance of equal marriage laws.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said: ‘This judgement does confirm that we need to do the heavy lifting to secure same-sex marriage through parliament, rather than relying on the European Court of Human Rights.
‘We hope that all supporters of equal marriage will make their voices heard by responding to the government’s recently-opened consultation.’
Stonewall last month published a draft parliamentary bill for giving married same-sex couples equal legal rights, outlining the legislative steps needed to implement a policy now supported by all political party leaders and saying a gay marriage bill is so simple, it could be included in the Queen's Speech.
Launching the consultation on 15 March, Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: ‘Put simply, it's not right that a couple who love each other and want to formalize a commitment to each other should be denied the right to marry.’
The proposals would allow partners to have a civil wedding and take the same vows and commitments as opposite sex couples.
However, the plans have faced fierce opposition from both religious leaders and a minority of members of the Conservative Party.
For more information on Stonewall's equal marriage campaign, visit www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage
Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com
French couple Valerie Gas and Nathalie Dubois complained to the European Court of Human Rights after one of the women had her application to adopt her partner's child denied.
The pair, who have a civil partnership, maintained that their right to private and family life had been infringed in a way which discriminated against them in comparison with opposite-sex couples, whether married or not.
However, judges in Strasbourg ruled that there was no evidence of a difference in treatment based on the applicants’ sexual orientation and that opposite sex civil partners would also be prohibited from obtaining a simple adoption order.
Judges said: ‘The court reiterated that the European Convention on Human Rights did not require member states’ governments to grant same-sex couples access to marriage.
‘If a state chose to provide same-sex couples with an alternative means of recognition, it enjoyed a certain margin of appreciation regarding the exact status conferred.’
The court’s decision follows the launch of a 12-week consultation on gay marriage in the UK and rights group Stonewall said the ruling highlights the importance of equal marriage laws.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said: ‘This judgement does confirm that we need to do the heavy lifting to secure same-sex marriage through parliament, rather than relying on the European Court of Human Rights.
‘We hope that all supporters of equal marriage will make their voices heard by responding to the government’s recently-opened consultation.’
Stonewall last month published a draft parliamentary bill for giving married same-sex couples equal legal rights, outlining the legislative steps needed to implement a policy now supported by all political party leaders and saying a gay marriage bill is so simple, it could be included in the Queen's Speech.
Launching the consultation on 15 March, Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: ‘Put simply, it's not right that a couple who love each other and want to formalize a commitment to each other should be denied the right to marry.’
The proposals would allow partners to have a civil wedding and take the same vows and commitments as opposite sex couples.
However, the plans have faced fierce opposition from both religious leaders and a minority of members of the Conservative Party.
For more information on Stonewall's equal marriage campaign, visit www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage
Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com
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