Gay rights criticised as ‘discriminatory’

BRITISH Government plans to give gay men and lesbians the same legal rights as married couples were yesterday criticised as “discriminatory” for ignoring unmarried,

The revolutionary reforms will create civil partnerships to give homosexual couples pension and property rights providing they sign an official registration document.

The radical moves will give next of kin rights in hospitals, allow gays to benefit from a dead partner’s pension and exempt them from inheritance tax on a partner’s home.

However, campaigners and opposition politicians criticised the proposals and said they should have been extended to provide legal recognition for all unmarried couples.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell described the plans as “heterophobic” and “retrograde”.

“It is divisive, heterophobic and discriminatory to exclude unmarried heterosexual couples,” he said. “Cohabiting heterosexuals also lack legal recognition and protection. This is a grave injustice.”