News from Caroline Russell: Celebrating equal civil partnerships – at last!

Civil partnerships will now be allowed for mixed sex couples by the end of 2019 – thanks to a new parliamentary bill and a long-fought battle from campaigners, including Caroline Russell AM who got the Mayor and the London Assembly on board.

Around one in five London households are made up of a cohabiting different-sex couple and last month the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill was passed in Parliament which means the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities will bring in new legislation so these couples can have a civil partnership.

Caroline Russell asked the Assembly to stand with her, in November 2016, in backing an appeal against a High Court decision preventing a different-sex couple from forming a civil partnership.

The Mayor also responded to Caroline’s motion and agreed to show ‘unequivocal’ support for different-sex couples who want an alternative to traditional marriage and lobby the Government in support of equal civil partnerships.

Caroline Russell said:

For true equality the law should properly reflect the values modern couples hold, I’m glad to see this will finally happen this year.

London is a forward-facing city and I was glad to campaign alongside others to bring in a legal alternative to marriage.

I would have had a civil partnership if it had been on offer when I met and married my partner – I’m so happy for the campaigners who have fought to make this a reality for so many couples who want this option.”