Council divided over gay marriage rights

11:08am Wednesday 21st September 2005

THE row over gay marriage ceremonies has split councillors between the right to choose and claims gay people have abnormal sexual tendencies.

Bromley's councillors met on Monday to decide whether to grant gay and lesbian couples the right to hold ceremonies when registering their relationships under the new Civil Partnership Act.

But following the heated meeting, the councillors were split down the middle with 21 voting for the ceremonies, 21 against and four abstaining.

Bromley has attracted criticism for not allowing gay couples to hold ceremonies in the Civic Centre when the new law comes into force in December.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has branded its actions "unlawful discrimination and an infringement of the Human Rights Act" and says refusal could be challenged in court.

Tory councillor Michael Tickner told the meeting the wider community may not be comfortable with gay ceremonies.

He said: "What about the rights of straight people and people who have normal sexual tendencies?"

His speeches prompted an outburst from the public gallery.

Gay Bromley resident Greg Scurr, 25, shouted: "Should young gays just kill themselves then?"

But Cllr Tickner's Tory colleague Councillor George Taylor was applauded by the gallery.

He said individuals should have freedom of choice without intervention from a "nanny state and council".

He says gay residents should be given the same rights as all the other council tax paying residents in the borough.

It is thought the civil partnership ceremonies could bring in £9,000 of revenue each year.

Civil partnership law gives gay couples the same legal rights as straight couples, but some councillors say it is not marriage because it is not a sacrament.

Petts Wood resident Duncan Strivens, 40, attended the meeting and said: "It's the closest we're going to get to marriage and it shows how seriously we take our relationships. Councillors should not be voting for ceremonies on personal or religious grounds."

Bromley Council's executive will now meet on October 10 to make a final decision.

The council was to review its policy on ceremonies early next year but comments made in News Shopper caught Mr Livingstone's attention and forced its hand.

Three senior Tories claimed gay marriages undermine family values and are immoral.

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