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 Katherine Doyle and Tom Freeman with Peter Tatchell |
Straight refusal – Couple’s civil partnership bid is turned down
A HETEROSEXUAL Holloway couple who attempted to have a “gay” civil partnership in the name of equality were turned away by Islington Registry Office on Tuesday, writes Peter Gruner.
Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle,who were supported by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, were handed a letter of refusal which informed them that the 2004 Civil Partnerships Act is for people of the same sex.
Speaking outside the Registry Office after their application was rejected, Tom said: “We are saddened and disappointed. In a democratic state, all institutions should be open to all people. We are going to take legal advice and take it to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.”
Mr Tatchell, of the gay rights group OutRage!, said: “They are going to need lots of support. It will be a tough legal battle. This is the first-ever challenge to the ban on heterosexual couples having a civil partnership.”
Tom and Katherine will first have to challenge the refusal through the British courts and, if this fails, then appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Mr Tatchell added: “It is arguable that the ban on straight couples may breach the European Convention on Human Rights with regard to articles 8, 12 and 14, which respectively protect the right to privacy, marriage and non-discrimination.
“I am supporting the couple’s equality bid and so is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] human rights group OutRage!” |
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