British Gay Marriage Ban Could be Lifted

From Stuff:

A ban on gay couples being allowed to marry in church could soon be lifted in Britain.

Senior Anglican bishops have backed plans by politicians to drop the existing ban on civil partnership ceremonies in religious premises under proposed changes to equality laws in March.

The Times newspaper said the removal of the ban on blessings of homosexual couples would allow the registration of civil partnerships in churches, synagogues, mosques and all other religious premises.

The proposed changes to the Equality Bill, which were first debated in the House of Lords in January, are expected to be reintroduced to the House of Lords in early March.

While the changes are expected to be backed by the Conservative party, the Labour government is yet to decide whether to support them.

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D.C. to Hold Summit on Gays In Foreign Armies

From PR Newswire:

The Palm Center has announced plans to convene a Washington, D.C. summit of officials and experts from military forces that allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly, including the Israel Defense Force and NATO member militaries. The summit, which is planned for early spring, will focus on the implementation of personnel policies for openly gay troops. British and Israeli experts have confirmed their participation.

“As military and political leaders anticipate the end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ the lessons from the twenty-five foreign forces that allow open gay service are instructive,” stated Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center. Belkin cited three questions that generally dominate the comparison: Did the decision to allow open gay service undermine military readiness? How was implementation managed? To what extent can lessons from abroad help U.S. officials plan for an inclusive policy?

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