Gay wedding planner opposes “lazy equality”

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A gay wedding planner is calling for support of a campaign to make sure the new Equality Act doesn’t allow any exemptions which would allow venues to refuse providing a location for civil partnerships.

Pink Weddings is seeking over 3,000 signatures to take a petition to Downing Street in December to show opposition to “lazy equality.”

The government has faced criticism of a delay in implementing new guidelines protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has been accused of pandering to the needs of religious groups who are seeking exemptions in the law.

Gino Meriano, founder of Pink Weddings says he has had enough of venues and suppliers refusing to work with gay couples, he said: “We must stand up and speak out, we do not deserve nor should we accept this attempt to settle for ‘lazy equality’.”

“In today’s society true acceptance should simply be the norm. Kelly is simply buying time while individuals’ religious beliefs are used to unduly steer policy.

“We will not be bullied into a lazy Equality Act that only suits personal opinions or based solely around religious faiths.”

He hopes to take the petition to Downing Street on December 5, a year after the Civil Partnerships Act was implemented.

The Civil Partnership Act came into force on the 5th December 2005 led by Junior Women and Equality Minister Meg Munn, who is a member of the Methodist Church, and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Meriano said: “Meg Munn’s attendance at our Civil Partnership signing shows personal religious beliefs are just that – personal – and do not dictate state business.”

To support the petition email [email protected]

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