Civil partnerships in religious buildings by 2012
The Home Office has published a report to confirm that people will be able to have civil partnerships in religious buildings by the end of the year.
The regulations will enforce the Equality Act 2010, which put a stop to the ban on holding civil ceremonies at churches, synagogues and other places of worship.
The Unitarian Church, Quakers and Liberal and Reform Judaism will all hold ceremonies for same-sex couples, but the Catholic Church and Church of England have said they will not.
Lynne Featherstone said: "The government is advancing equality for LGB people and ensuring freedom of religion for people of all faiths.
No religious group will be forced to host a civil partnership registration, but for those who wish to do so this is an important step forward."
