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Press Release

CAMDEN COUNCIL CELEBRATES NEW CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS

5 December 2005

Camden Council today (5 December) wished the best of luck to the thirteen couples from across the borough who took the first opportunity to register their wish to form a civil partnership. The council now has ten firm bookings from couples to take part in the very first ceremonies on 21 December. A civil partnership gives same sex couples many of the same legal rights as marriage.

For all the lucky couples planning to take part in a ceremony in the first week, the council is holding celebration breakfast reception at the Town Hall on 21 December. Couples will be invited to the Mayor’s Parlour for this special occasion.

Theo Blackwell, Executive Member of Equalities, Camden Council, said: “I want to wish the best of luck to all the people who came in today as they make final preparations to form a Civil Partnership.

“The new act is an important advance in civil rights, for the first time giving people legal recognition of their relationship and also the chance to make a public show of their love for each other.”

Hilary Wears Smith, Director Camden Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Forum, said: “Our heartfelt congratulations to all the couples who are registering their interest to form a civil partnership today. This is a truly momentous day for the lesbian and gay community. And another move towards equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.”

The civil partnership ceremony gives legal and public recognition of same sex couples relationships. After forming a civil partnership couples will have the same rights as married couples in things like inheritance, pension rights, tax, benefits and parental responsibility.

The council is to publish two new booklets to help couples find out more about civil partnerships in Camden and the difference it will make to financial and legal arrangements. The first booklet outlines the civil partnership process in Camden and the support the council can offer. The second is produced by the Welfare Rights Team and provides an easy to understand summary of the main legal changes to welfare benefits and tax credits. Both will be available from Camden Council Libraries and the Registrars Office by calling 020 7974 1900.



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Camden Council

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