Greetings from the UK

I know it's been several days since there's been a diary on Religious Right Watch. In part that's because I'm in the UK for a visit, including for the civil partnership ceremony of my friends Gareth and Simon. (Photo: a friend of Gareth & Simon, who are seated, signs as witness.) It's the second time in as many years that I've had the pleasure and honor to be in the UK for a celebration of a civil partnership. The legalization of civil partnerships in the UK has had all the negative consequences one might reasonably expect. None.

Milliners' sales have been bolstered, of course, and the increase in cleaning services for hats and morning coats is no great cause for concern, since the UK has strong standards regarding the ecological soundness of commercial cleaning operations. It might also be noted that the monarchy remains intact, tea inexpensive, the economy expansive, toast hard, mobile phones more advanced than in the US, airing rooms abundant, and the countryside beautiful. The Hebrides have not fallen into the sea.

- IseFire

Comments

[K]

Much as I disdain Blair for supporting George Bush's misbegotten war, I never fail to commend Blair and his government for honest and earnest efforts in passing the civil partnership legislation.

The pragmatic approach of titling this separate-but-equal institution something other than "civil marriage" probably helped in securing passage, of course. But the Brits are decent people, and we can probably expect to see "civil partnership" given its correct and equal name of "marriage" within a few years.