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21/02/2005
Navy signs up to gay rights scheme
The Royal Navy has signed up to a scheme promoting gay rights, it was announced today.
The Navy is the first section of the armed forces to sign up to the Diversity Champions Programme, organised by equal rights charity, Stonewall.
Ninety organisations, including British Telecom and IBM, have already signed up to the scheme, which promotes fair treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers.
The Navy's decision to sign up to the scheme occurs ahead of the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act, which will come into effect on December 5, it was announced today.
All gay or lesbian couples, with a registered civil partnership will be able to apply for married quarters in all branches of the armed forces. However, the Navy said that's it's existing 'no-sex' policy would still be applicable for all staff, both on ships and at naval bases.
The Civil Partnership Act, which was passed last November, allows same sex couples to make a formal, legal commitment to each other. The new Act contains a number of provisions, including employment and pension benefits; recognition under intestacy rules; access to fatal accidents compensation; equitable treatment for the purposes of life assurance and recognition for immigration and nationality purposes. The Act also allows civil partners to be assesed in the same way as spouses for child support and also provides a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for civil partners and any children of the family. It also gives same-sex couples from overseas, who have legally recognised relationhips, the right to be treated as civil partners while they are in the UK.
Commenting on the Act, Deputy Women and Equality Minister, Jacqui Smith, said:"I know how much this legislation means to a great many same-sex couples across the country who are eager to finally get legal recognition for their relationships. This legislation is going to make a real difference to these couples and it demonstrates the Government's commitment to equality and social justice."
(KMcA/SP)
The Navy is the first section of the armed forces to sign up to the Diversity Champions Programme, organised by equal rights charity, Stonewall.
Ninety organisations, including British Telecom and IBM, have already signed up to the scheme, which promotes fair treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers.
The Navy's decision to sign up to the scheme occurs ahead of the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act, which will come into effect on December 5, it was announced today.
All gay or lesbian couples, with a registered civil partnership will be able to apply for married quarters in all branches of the armed forces. However, the Navy said that's it's existing 'no-sex' policy would still be applicable for all staff, both on ships and at naval bases.
The Civil Partnership Act, which was passed last November, allows same sex couples to make a formal, legal commitment to each other. The new Act contains a number of provisions, including employment and pension benefits; recognition under intestacy rules; access to fatal accidents compensation; equitable treatment for the purposes of life assurance and recognition for immigration and nationality purposes. The Act also allows civil partners to be assesed in the same way as spouses for child support and also provides a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for civil partners and any children of the family. It also gives same-sex couples from overseas, who have legally recognised relationhips, the right to be treated as civil partners while they are in the UK.
Commenting on the Act, Deputy Women and Equality Minister, Jacqui Smith, said:"I know how much this legislation means to a great many same-sex couples across the country who are eager to finally get legal recognition for their relationships. This legislation is going to make a real difference to these couples and it demonstrates the Government's commitment to equality and social justice."
(KMcA/SP)
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