Gays to win same rights as married couples

Gay men, lesbians and bisexuals are to be offered the same rights as married couples under revolutionary Government plans to create legally-recognised civil partnerships.

Barbara Roche, the Minister for Social Exclusion and Equalities, has concluded there is a "clear and strong" case for allowing same-sex couples the chance to register their relationships. Mrs Roche told The Independent the proposals aimed to confer property and inheritance rights on homosexual men and women for the first time. Under the plans, to be published in the form of a consultation paper, those who register their partnership will also receive next-of-kin status.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is keen to avoid the term "gay marriage" because a ceremony will not be necessary for couples to sign the proposed legal contract recognising their relationship.

Mrs Roche moved to head off accusations of "political correctness", stressing that the changes would recognise that British society had become more tolerant. Eight EU countries, Canada and several American states already gave legal status to civil partnerships and it was time the UK caught up, the minister said.

"There are many thousands of gay couples who have been together for years, who look after each other, support each other, live their lives in exactly the same way as any other family," she said. "Yet the law, the state, does not recognise them as a partnership, as a family, while they are together or when one of them dies."

Mrs Roche said many gay people have been refused a hospital visit to see their seriously ill partner or refused their rightful place at their partner's funeral. Some have been evicted from their home after their partner's death, or forced to sell their home to pay inheritance tax duties.

"A partnership registration scheme would bring benefits to individuals who registered. I believe it would also bring benefits to the whole community. It would send a powerful message about the acceptability of same-sex relationships and about the unacceptability of the homophobia still far too prevalent in our society," Mrs Roche said.

"This is not about being 'PC' but about bringing law and practice into line with the reality of people's lives. The practicalities of introducing partnership registration for gay couples, with rights and responsibilities attached, are complex. But the case for doing it is clear and, I believe, strong."

Mrs Roche's conclusions follow a 10-month Whitehall review. If consultation is positive, a short bill will be sought in the next session of Parliament.