News from around the globe that the newspapers seldom print

Disclaimer and fair comment

While I agree with most of the material passed on I may not be in agreement with all. However there is much we can learn from some that we disagree with. Remember it was once thought that the earth was flat.

It is left to your judgment to determine what you agree with and what to act upon.

Swinging England

Gay servicemen in relationships can live in family quarters
By Jane Mulkerrins
Global Telegraph
(Filed: 21/02/2005)

Gay and lesbian personnel in the Armed Forces will be allowed to live in family quarters provided their relationships are registered under the new Civil Partnership Act, it was announced yesterday.

An MoD spokesman said that the new policy would come into effect for all Army, Royal Navy and RAF staff from the autumn. He said: "If same-sex couples commit themselves to a registered civil partnership that is founded in statute and provides rights and obligations that are comparable to a marriage, the MoD would expect to afford the same recognition in its own policies towards service personnel."

Anton Hanney, a spokesman for the Navy, said: "We are obliged to give equal treatment to gay and lesbian partnerships under these terms. They already have equal pension rights." However, he stressed that the Navy's no-sex policy would remain on ships, at naval bases and in barracks.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 was passed in November to allow gay and lesbian couples to gain formal legal recognition of their relationship. Civil partners will gain access to a wide range of rights and responsibilities, including employment and pension benefits, fatal accidents compensation and being treated as spouses for all tax purposes.

The Navy has also joined the equal rights charity Stonewall's Diversity Champions Programme to promote the fair treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual recruits, it emerged yesterday, a first for the Armed Forces. Ben Summerskill, Stonewall's chief executive, said he was optimistic that the Army and the RAF would follow suit. "I think the Navy have been very courageous to engage with this so publicly," he said.

Officers have a key role to play in creating a culture in which gay and lesbian personnel feel confident that they work without being harassed or bullied because of their orientation."

Troops' single and gay lovers win widows' pensions
By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 16/09/2003)

Unmarried and homosexual partners of Armed Forces personnel are to be given the same rights of compensation and pensions as widows.

As part of a major revamp of death-in-service benefits and pensions, Servicemen and women will simply have to pre-register their girlfriend or boyfriend to qualify.