I often thought that it was unfair that straight couples did not have the option of a civil partnership where they could get the legal rights without having to get married. It would have suited me.
Will same sex couples have the option of marriage and/or civil partnerships? If so, will straight couples also be given that option. If they don't have the option will civil partnerships no longer be valid. What happens to existing ones? If a gay couple are in a civil partnership and then get married are they commiting bigamy or will they have to get married? How does a civil partnership differ from a registry office marriage? Can anyone clear this up for me?
I did hear one objector making this point: If a marriage can be legally annulled due to non-consumation, how do you you define consumation in a same sex marriage? Have they thought this through?
