Lesbian Couple Take On UK’s Anti Gay Marriage Law
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on November 3, 2010
London, UK – Sharon Ferguson and her partner Franka Strietzel are taking on the United Kingdom’s anti gay marriage laws. They’re walking into different marriage licence offices and applying for a licence with the press right behind them.
They’ve (of course) been turned down so far, but they’re hoping to put enough pressure on Parliament that laws will get changed. Love the direct action! Good luck ladies!
Rev Sharon Ferguson and her partner Franka Strietzel were turned away on the grounds that UK law stipulates that marriage partners have to be male and female.
The couple now plan to challenge this restriction in the courts, arguing that the ban on same-sex marriage violates Articles 14 (protection against discrimination), 12 (the right to marry) and 8 (the right to respect for family life) of the Human Rights Act.
Rev. Ferguson is an ordained minister of religion and chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Franka Strietzel is a corporate trainer.
Today’s application for a civil by the couple was the first of four that form part of the new ‘Equal Love’ campaign coordinated by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and sponsored by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights organisation OutRage!
There will also be four application by opposite-sex couple for a civil partnership licence.
The Equal Love campaign seeks to end the prohibition on same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships.
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
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