Cleric attacks 'gay weddings' law
A senior churchman has warned that civil partnerships for gay people will undermine the institution of marriage.

The Civil Partnership Act gives gay couples the same tax and inheritance rights as heterosexual married couples.

A Swansea couple will be one of the first in Wales to register for a new gay civil partnership when legislation comes into force on Monday. Story



Former priest will be one of first to register
By Ruth Gledhill

A FORMER Church of England priest who was one of the first to “come out” when he declared that he was sharing his rectory with a gay man is to be one of the first men in England to register his civil partnership this month.

The Rev Simon Long, who is still listed in the Anglican Crockford’s Clerical Directory, even though he no longer has a licence and has converted to Roman Catholicism, will visit his local register office with his partner, Kevin Crowe, today to register his intention to “marry” on December 21.

Mr Long, who is divorced with three grown-up children, was responding to the plea of the Archbishop of Canterbury, now Lord Carey of Clifton, for the church to “listen to the experience of homosexuals” when, in 1998, he spoke publicly about his relationship with Mr Crowe, whom he met at a gay club after his divorce. Story