Australia - United Kingdom Civil Unions for Same Sex Attracted Couples
Extract from Adelaide Now 13th September 2009
"UK civil partnerships were introduced in 2004 to give same-sex couples rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage, including property rights, pensions and social security benefits.
The ceremonies cost $561 and are only available to couples that include at least one British national.
The partnership offers no additional legal rights to couples within Australia. Between April 2008 and April 2009, there have been 69 UK civil partnerships declared at consulates in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Civil union registries exist in the ACT, Tasmania and Victoria but they are not recognised interstate."
SEE full article:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26063636-5006301,00.html
In August 2008 Caroline and Lyn were another one of these 69 couples.
Here is the Legalities section from the ceremony held to "Celebrate Their Union" with family and friends.
Legalities
(With permission)
Many people understand our road to becoming more civilised has many twists and turns. Much gets lost in the mists of time.
For example, in western Christian tradition, it was not until about one thousand years ago that commoners were married, and a century later before priests were present at those ceremonies. Previously marriage was primarily reserved for those with wealth. This common law history is reflected in Australian Law.
So whilst I am required by my Commonwealth appointment to ensure that we all understand that this ceremony and union is not a marriage as defined by Australian law, I would like to also ensure that more people understand that ministers, priests and civil celebrants do not marry couples.
Couples are married by the vows or promises they make to live in a life long relationship, and their commitment to honour those promises as best they are able.
That life-long commitment between a man and a woman, called marriage, is witnessed then recorded on the behalf of the federal government.
To me this arrangement also reflects psychological or spiritual truths.
• That love bonds us to one another, not law.
• That we need to be willing to submit to the call of love in our lives and to the power of our inner truths and needs, provided they do not harm or wound the life force we have all received as a gift
• That our inner and outer worlds are powerfully inter-related, so that making a public declaration of an inner intent serves to strengthen and empower our spirits to live that more completely on every level.
That is why the commitment Caroline and Lynne have made and affirm today, being witnessed by your love and support for them, is so very important. This public declaration grants them wholeness and freedom to live their truth.
We traditionally symbolise wholeness with a circle or a square. We symbolise eternity as an unending loop. Precious metals that last unchanged not only also symbolise infinity, they symbolise the pricelessness or worth of that wholeness.
Rings exchanged symbolise all those aspects. Today Lynne and Caroline also wish their rings to symbolise their love for their family and friends, and the love and care you have for them which upholds them both as individuals and as a couple.
I am going to ask that we circulate their rings, so that may all be held by each of us – to grant them our warmth and our best wishes for them now and for their future.
(Y & A to hand rings to each side of the room and make sure everyone, row by row gets to hold the ring to make their wish)
To read more about this celebration - click here
