Petition calls for change of civil partnership conversion regulations

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A petition has been started to urge the Government to reconsider strict regulations which mean those converting a civil partnership to marriage do not receive a marriage certificate.

The Government late in June announce that the first date couples already in civil partnerships can convert to marriage will be 10 December 2014.

The Change.org petition notes that the regulations, however, state that couples can only convert to marriage in a register office with a Superintendent Registrar present, which exempts many register offices and all religious venues.

Rather than receiving a marriage certificate, couples will simply receive a slip stating that the conversion ceremony took place.

Already 250 people have signed up to the petition, which states that there is “no heart” in the regulations, and is addressed to Nick Boles, the minister responsible for implementing same-sex marriage.

Yesterday Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Gloria De Piero, wrote to Nicky Morgan to make similar objections to the regulations.

Last Tuesday, David Cameron appointed Nicky Morgan as the new Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.

As the Loughborough MP voted against same-sex marriage last year, openly gay junior Conservative minister Nick Boles has been given specific responsibilities for same-sex marriage and LGBT equality