Gscene Magazine Gscene - January 2013 | Page 9

CLLR PHELIM MAC CAFFERTY GSCENE 9 Cllr Phelim MacCafferty, deputy leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Greens have historically argued that all couples, regardless of their gender or sexuality, should be allowed to marry. We are proud of the role that Greens have played in pushing the issues forward, including Green London Assembly member Darren Johnson who asked the Mayor of London to trial civil partnerships in the London Assembly, which, of course, proved so popular that it was introduced as law. “However, we’re disappointed that all clergy from the Catholic Church and Church of England who wish to conduct marriage for same-sex couples are banned from doing so. Greens argue that the proposals unfairly discriminate against Anglicans and Catholics wishing to have their love recognised in the same building as they worship in. Ministers from, for example, Unitarian Churches, Liberal Synagogues and the Society of Friends (Quakers) will be permitted to conduct marriages which we welcome, but we are concerned that in the main faiths in the UK there will be, effectively, no change. We don't think this is good enough at all. In addition it is unfair and discriminatory to bar opposite-sex couples from civil partnerships. “Greens are appalled that many Members of Parliament have used the equal marriage debate to stir up bigotry - Bob Blackman MP has called for the reintroduction of the much-hated Section 28. We are disappointed too that Labour having stated that they would apply a three-line whip to the vote has now said that they will apply a free vote. “It is good that the consultation on marriage has been published and that the debate on meaningful equality will continue, but we believe that the only nondiscriminatory way to go forward is to offer all faiths and none the right to marry or to be civilly partnered. Greens will carry on campaigning on this basis." JOE TWYMAN MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SUPPORT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE M A majority (55%) of the British public support changing the law to allow same-sex marriage, but Conservative voters are divided on the issue with 46% in favour, 48% opposed and the rest who say they don’t know. The poll comes amidst a declaration by Ukip leader Nigel Farage that the Prime Minister’s decision to legalise gay marriage would “rip apart” the Conservative Party. Meanwhile, 60% of Labour voters support same-sex marriage, and an overwhelming 77% of Liberal Democrats are in favour of the change. There was also a considerable divide between men and women on the issue, with only 48% of men in support of same-sex marriage (43% are opposed) compared to 62% support amongst women (28% are opposed). The government recently announced a proposal to legalise same-sex marriage, but the Church of England and Church in Wales will be exempted from performing same-sex wedding ceremonies. Other religious institutions will be able to “opt-in” to holding same-sex weddings if they so choose. According to the poll, 45% of the public support changing the law to allow same-sex couples to marry in registry offices and licenced venues, but keep religious weddings in churches to those between a man and a woman, while 41% oppose this approach and 14% say they don’t know. Meanwhile, 53% say they support giving churches the choice of whether or not to offer same-sex marriages, while 37% oppose this and 10% don’t know. When asked what is more important, the right of same-sex couples to get married or the right of churches to keep religious marriages to those between men and women, a plurality say that the right of churches should take priority, but a substantial proportion are unsure. • 27% say the right of same-sex couples to get married is m