Andrew Falconer

The Lib Dem candidate for Brighton Pavilion has been campaigning for all Churches and faith groups to be entitled to determine for themselves whether to perform civil partnership ceremonies in their premises. Under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 civil partnerships are forbidden from taking place in any building designed for or used solely for religious purposes. Andrew Falconer launched a petition to amend the legislation.
 
Commenting on the petition, Andrew Falconer said:
“Having met with representatives of various faith groups over the past few months it is clear that even those opposed to civil partnerships believe in religious freedom and the right for other faiths to perform ceremonies.
 
"There are faith groups who want to affirm same-sex relationships before their community and God but the law denies them that opportunity. For those churches who do not want to engage in such ceremonies there is no pressure to do so. This is about religious freedom in the true sense.”
 
Brighton’s Metropolitan Community Church has backed the campaign as has the Lesbian and Gay Jewish Group.

The petition has received national interest with over 1100 signatures. There has been multi-denominational support with Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy as well as Quakers and Congregationalists signing.

Andrew Falconer is encouraging people to support the issue by signing the petition online. The petition ends at the end of October, and, with nearly 1500 signatures, is in the top 100 most signed petitions on the Number 10 website.

To sign the petition visit:
petitions.number10.gov.uk/gayfaith/