Government consultation on Same Sex Civil Marriage

UPDATE 6th June:

With just over a week to go until the consultation on Equal Civil Marriage closes, this is a reminder for any group, organisation or individual who hasn't filled out the consultation to go to http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/ and get it filled in. Every response has the potential to make a difference and it doesn't have to take you long to respond. You can either fill in the online form, which will take you a few moments by choosing from a few tick boxes. Alternatively, you can take a little more time by using the email address on the above page to send in detailed comments to each of the questions...the choice is yours! 

UPDATE 31st May:

A few of the responses from some of the our members that have already been submitted. Use them to inspire your own response if you haven't done so already...just two weeks to go so get to it!

Stonewall

Galop

TUC

Unison

LAGLA (Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association)

National LGB&T Health Partnership

UPDATE 26th April:

Gires will be organising a Trans specific event on the 14th May in central London. Contact Gires on info@gires.org.uk for more information.

The Coalition for Equal Marriage have just released their new short film and it looks fantastic. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a54UBWFXsF4&feature=colike and let them know what you think. Don't forget to forward it on to your friends, and don't forget to sign their petition, and don't forget to fill in the Government consultation!!

UPDATE 19th April:

Thanks to everyone who attended the consultation events across England over the last few weeks. We have a wide range of people and organisations attending the events and it has given a huge amount of useful information to the Government Equality Office.

During the events, we were taking notes and will be passing these on to the GEO before the end of the consultation.

We are also delighted to see that some of our Member organisations are also holding their own events in the coming weeks, so please do check out our events page to see what is happening near you. The Execellence Centre in Wales will be holding an event in Cardiff with the GEO on the 15th May and LGF in Manchester will also be organising an event. If you know of other key events, do let us know and we will get them listed.

Also, don't forget to keep an eye out on the Coalition for Equal Marriage website. They are launching their viral video soon....

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Consultation is now live.

The Consortium will be running a series of events in partnership with the Government Equalities Office across England.

For more information and to book on follow the links below:

• Birmingham 26 March 2pm-4pm
• Exeter 28 March 4pm-6pm
• London 2 April 4pm-6pm
• Brighton 4 April 4pm-6pm
• Durham 10 April 2pm-4pm

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Later this month, the Government Equality Office will be starting their consultation on the implementation of Same Sex Civil Marriage. You have probably already noticed that certain religious organisations are taking the opportunity to put out extremely negative messages and we are planning to counter this and encourage as many LGBT people and communities to respond positively to the consultation as possible.

The important thing to remember about this consultation is that it is about HOW this will be implemented, not IF this will be implemented. Government aren't looking to make this a mini-referendum and simply see how many people like/dislike the idea. They want sound evidence and responses on how best to implement it. This is where our communities have the evidence--we know why this is needed and the benefit it will bring.

We encourage everyone to get behind the consultation when it is launched and Have Your Say! This is our opportunity to show that our communities are not the enemy here. All we want is fair and equal treatment. We are not doing this to breakdown the concept of marriage, but equally we won't stand by and see our communities villified and discriminated against. 

Look out for campaign materials, which will be available here asap.

Remember, Have Your Say!