Committee
Equal Opportunities Committee, 28 Oct 2003
28 Oct 2003 · S2 · Equal Opportunities Committee
Item of business
Civil Partnership Registration
Ali Jarvis:
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It is important to consider not only the legal but the social discrimination that same-sex couples face. For example, I was advised recently of a case in Oban that involved a woman who had been living with her same-sex partner for 40 years. When her partner died, she asked for time off from work and was allowed one day for the funeral. There was no recognition that she had been in a lifelong partnership and that, to all intents and purposes, it was her spouse who had died. There was no recognition of that person's bereavement or of the loss in her life. Subsequently, she suffered a breakdown and had to leave her employment because her employer did not recognise the strain she was suffering. I should say that the couple were not out—they did not feel comfortable being out. As far as the employer was concerned, it was a flatmate—a casual acquaintance—who had died.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
I welcome Patrick Harvie to the meeting. If you want to participate by raising issues with the committee or asking questions of the witnesses, please feel fr...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green):
Green
Thank you.
The Convener:
Lab
I also give a warm welcome to Tim Hopkins from the Equality Network, Ali Jarvis from Stonewall Scotland and Hilary Campbell from Couple Counselling Scotland....
Tim Hopkins (Equality Network):
The quick answer is yes. We consulted lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout Scotland over a period of two and a half years. It was clear t...
Ali Jarvis (Stonewall Scotland):
We, too, support the proposals. We have been working with the Westminster Government and the Scottish Parliament on considering the balance between devolved ...
Hilary Campbell (Couple Counselling Scotland):
All relationships have stresses and strains and the couples who come to us have the same issues—communication, kids, jobs and money—irrespective of their gen...
The Convener:
Lab
At our meeting on 7 October, we heard about findings from the Scottish social attitudes survey that showed that discriminatory attitudes are still prevalent ...
Tim Hopkins:
One of the major issues is couples' being treated as a single financial unit. When two people are married, they are treated as a single financial unit and ar...
Ali Jarvis:
It is important to consider not only the legal but the social discrimination that same-sex couples face. For example, I was advised recently of a case in Oba...
Hilary Campbell:
I underline what Tim Hopkins and Ali Jarvis have said. There is a myth that lesbian and gay people do not have long-term relationships. That is absolute garb...
Mrs Milne:
Con
To what extent do you believe that legislation that is enacted on the basis of the proposals from the UK Government and the Scottish Executive will be effect...
Ali Jarvis:
It will be largely effective with regard to civil partnerships and the recognition of same-sex relationships. Although we still need to recognise that social...
Tim Hopkins:
The proposals as they stand are not complete. For example, certain issues—in particular, parenting issues in Scotland, adoption and fostering roles—are being...
Hilary Campbell:
We see the proposed legislation as an enabling measure. People make choices about their relationships. The ability to choose to make a public commitment will...
Mrs Milne:
Con
The Scottish Executive's consultation paper states that civil partnership registration for same-sex couples will be introduced in Scotland in the event that ...
Tim Hopkins:
You are right. Two previous Westminster bills on civil partnership were introduced by back benchers without Government support. As a result, it is not really...
Hilary Campbell:
We hope that, on this matter, the Scottish Parliament will be as leading edge as it usually is.
Shiona Baird:
Green
The Executive has stated that the Scottish Parliament could legislate for a scheme that is open to mixed-sex couples and, perhaps, household companions. Howe...
Tim Hopkins:
That rolls two different issues into one. The first is the issue of mixed-sex couples and civil partnership; the second is the issue of household companions....
The Convener:
Lab
That was helpful. Thank you.
Hilary Campbell:
We, too, would like civil partnership to be extended to mixed-sex couples. The census showed a significant increase in the number of cohabiting couples in Sc...
Ali Jarvis:
The only thing that I would add is that at this stage our view is one of focus and priority. At the moment, the greatest disadvantage is faced by same-sex co...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
The view has been expressed that extending similar rights to registered same-sex couples to those that are held by married couples would undermine marriage. ...
Tim Hopkins:
If the two gay men or two lesbians who live at number 24 enter into a civil partnership, the fact is that that has no effect on the married couple who live a...
Ali Jarvis:
Anything that gives couples the opportunity to recognise that stability and commitment are important social factors can only enhance all the different social...
Hilary Campbell:
We do not think that it would undermine marriage at all. We respect the choices of all the couples who come to us—whatever form their relationship takes.
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
It is helpful to have that put on the record. At its meeting on 23 September, the Equal Opportunities Committee expressed concern about the press statement t...
Ali Jarvis:
We were very uncomfortable with it and wrote to put that on the record. I return to the point that Hilary Campbell made about choice and respect. We need to ...
Hilary Campbell:
What is really important is the quality of the relationship. People need to live in loving, happy families in which the relationships are good. We do not hav...
Tim Hopkins:
I have nothing to add.