LONDON, February 22, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Britain approved a new civil unions bill Monday for same-sex couples, granting them all the privileges of marriage and giving a powerful seal of approval to homosexual relations. The Civil Partnerships Bill, passed through parliament last year, will mean same-sex couples will be entitled to civil unions by December. Included is access to spousal-like benefits such as pensions, next-of-kin status, and an exemption on paying inheritance tax. Also included in the bill is the same alimony and child support responsibilities in the event of separation. Also on Monday, the UK military announced that same-sex couples, while they are couples, would be granted access to family quarters. The prohibition against homosexuals in the military was dropped in 2000 after a European court ruled against the country. “We will be complying with the law,” Royal Navy spokesman Anton Hanney said, as reported by the Washington Times. “We are obliged to give equal treatment to gay and lesbian partnerships”
The Royal Navy also announced yesterday a drive to recruit persons who identify themselves as homosexual, entering into a partnership with the homosexual activist group Stonewall, including advertisements in homosexual newspapers. See related coverage: British Navy Seeks Gay Sailors http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C2087-1491764%2C00.html See LifeSiteNews.com’s page on Same-Sex Unions http://www.lifesite.net/features/marriage_defence/civilunions.htm tv