Gay Relationship Registry

[jusk]

So what are the opinions of the new relationship register for gay couples being looked into by the state government in Victoria?

For those who don’t know it’s where gay couples can register there relationship giving them access to such rights as superanuation, pensions, medical decisions, property & assets, ect. The cost would be $50 however this wouldn’t be a marrage or a civil union.

Will it work? Is this what the gay community wants? should we be happy to settle for anything less than a legally reconised marrage certificate?

[alison87]

I think the concept of a relationship register is a good one, whether it's gay or not. Separating the legal rights and benefits of being in a relationship from the concept of marriage is a good thing. Of course this doesn't actually grant you the same rights as marriage, so meh.

[Tim D]

It's an ok halway house, but it's not quite equal rights, is it?

As a step in the right direction it's getting there, but it's not going to satisfy anyone for very long.

[AndrewScottWatson]

Look to the UK, as you guys often do, and I believe you will get there eventually - admittedly it will have to wait until you get rid of John "Maggie T sans hair" Howard.

The problem is that if you do settle for the halfway house idea of a relationship register it may take a little longer to get the civil unions debate back on the table. (And as marraige only introduces religious bigotry to the argument I believe it is best left well alone. I say let the religious fanatics get even more worked up by excluding them from the debate!) Go for broke, and you can look forward to a Herald Sun version of the UK headline "Sir Elton takes David up the Aisle" Lame perhaps, but back home we really are integrating all the better for it.

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[mindstar]

so its $50 to basically say that yep i'm in a relationship?

I don't think the benefits aren't really anything that are not already covered by de facto legislation - as its only city councils doing it, any state based legislation and then any commonwealth legislation would overwrite it.

Would I put my name down?
No
I won't

[mindgroove]

I think that it is at the very least a step in the right direction.

It does not offer much, it is only through certain councils and you have to go to long lengths to prove you're a couple.

However, I think that it is a step, a start, an understanding and acknowledement that we deserve the same equality as heterosexual couples.

Hopefully, someday we will get equality. The same rights, the same laws, the same respect, the same everything!!!

[Rainbow]

I am in a 30 year relationship and moved to Tasmania 5 years ago, two years later we registered our relationship with the "Deed of Relationship" Tasmania adopted the Deed and we now have 80 registered couples, we believe so much in the benefits we developed a website in conjunction with the Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group who we are members of www.relationshipstasmania.org.au this site will explain everything you need to know...we figure it is a great start to equality for same sex couples....all we need to do now is vote out Howard!!!!!

Cheers Peter Tassie