I guess it’s nice to know he’s got our backs? British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls California’s gay marriage ban “unacceptable” and it “shows why we have always got to be vigilant, always got to fight homophobic behaviour and any form of discrimination.”
The comments were made on Downing Street in front of an audience of GLBTers, where he championed his country’s activists for “changing opinion” on gay marriage.
This is the man who President Barack Obama was just accused of “snubbing,” when Brown visited Washington to little fanfair — quite the departure from the raging crowds that greeted Obama in London during his pre-election visit.
[BBC]
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atdleft
So when will marriage equality become the law of the land in the UK? Even though they have no DOMA there, I just don’t see civil partnerships being “just like marriage”. I hear the Scottish Parliament may soon vote on a marriage bill. Maybe Brown’s homeland will lead the way in the UK?
Darrien
In the UK civil partnerships are exactly the same as a marriage – except they are performed (usually) in a registry office rather than a church. Once two people enter a civil partnership they have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as any married couple. As a general rule, the UK is less overtly ‘religious’ than the US so there have been no major demands from the British LGTB ‘community’ to create a new form of marriage for gays and lesbians. So long as the equality is recognised by the state, it’s up to the individuals to make their peace with their god if that’s what they want to do. Having said all that, there’s every chance that in the future there may be a uniform definition of marriage applied to gay and straight couples, but that’s more likely to arrive because of international treaty obligations and bureaucratic convenience than because of any great clamour.
Jack
For me, “marriage” is a religious term. As a thoroughly non-religious gay man, I wouldn’t want to get married. I’d be quite happy with a Civil Partnership. My heterosexual, non-religious parents have been together happily for over 30 years, and they were married in a registry office. Good enough for them, good enough for me.
rogue dandelion
@atdleft: exactly what I was thinking! but then again, the british are pretty loopy- the queen is the head of church and state in title right? and actually in charge of neither?
Darrien
@rogue dandelion: Constitutionally, the Queen is head of state with the power to veto legislation from Parliament (something that hasn’t been done since Queen Anne in the 18th century, I think). In reality she ‘advises’ prime ministers, who – to all accounts – pay attention to what she says and value her comments. As head of the Church of England, she doesn’t comment on doctrinal issues, but she would be consulted on appointments of the top clergy, and if she put her foot down, someone she objected to wouldn’t get the job. Basically, the monarchy is there as an alternative power in the country to keep the politicians from believing their own publicity.
Sebbe
I don’t like Brownie, but thank you Downing Street.
Mike
It comes down to this.
We don’t want SPECIAL RIGHTS, we don’t want GAY MARRIAGE.
We just want to be treated the same as the rest of the population.
Is that too difficult a thing to ask for?
Charles J. Mueller
@Mike:
If 52% of the American population didn’t have an infuction in their ears, it wouldn’t be, Mike.
Monica Roberts
Um excuse me, but “gay marriage” cannot be a priority for the black transy-g-riot that needs to happen here and in Canada, and then to the United Kingdom.
Transexual Africans are the most interesting people in the world. Especially me. I used to live in Houston and tried to be a drag queen but was told I was too manly.
Then I went on hormones and 15 years ago had my crotch rearranged and moved to Louisville, Kentucky.
Since then, I have not found a husband or wife, but I did find a shitty apartment to share with 3 other people while I am on welfare and unemployment.
In my spare time (which is always)..I bash drag queens, white gays and anyone else who ruined my dream of becoming “Miss Gay America 1985”
Tallskin
To Monica Roberts — Is it just me or is there a greater tendency / desire to be a tranny if you’re black in the USA?
I simply don’t see the same desire for gay blacks to be trannies over here in the UK, nor do I notice the same desire amongst whites in the US or in the UK.
Is this something to do with racism and/or greater homophobia in the black communities?
Just asking.