Australia: Feds Force Changes to ACT Law: Gay Couples Not Officially Recognized Until Days After Ceremony

The ACT Greens have succumbed to a "veiled threat" from the federal government and will pass amendments to laws legalising same-sex weddings. It's a victory of sorts, said Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, but he's disappointed the fight for marriage equality has failed to go the full distance. The Greens had hoped gay partners would be able to be legally pronounced a couple in a ceremony under laws passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly in November. But the federal government, threatening to veto the laws, forced changes that require same-sex couples to first register, then send back their signed papers after the ceremony before being recognised as a partnership. Full Story from TheAge.com.au: http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/act-greens-to-ok-gay-wedding-laws-20091210-kl0d.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Australia.

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