1. What do same-sex couples feel about increased state involvement in their lives arising from the new legislation?
People responded in one of four ways to this question: 1) Civil partnership is an unwanted imposition that reinforces heterosexual norms. 2) State involvement is rejected except in the spheres of employment law and/or adoption which are seen as introducing important new rights and outlawing discrimination. 3) The benefits of new legislation outweigh previous concerns. Couples can create the kind of relationship they want within the broad legal framework of civil partnership. 4) Unambiguous welcome of the legislation with couples regarding themselves as part of the mainstream and no different from heterosexual couples.
2. Do same-sex couples think the employment equality regulations will reduce discrimination against them?
Yes. Couples feel better protected from workplace discrimination and harassment and more able to be open about their sexual orientation at work from the outset. Some people who had experienced discrimination weren’t aware of these new regulations, or if they were aware of them, were still reluctant to pursue their case. These people thought that it would be hard to prove sexual orientation discrimination.
3. Do same-sex couples think that they will be more likely to adopt since the introduction of the Adoption and Children Act (2002)?
Couples more likely to adopt because of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 think that this Act will treat them fairly and like the option of applying to adopt jointly as a couple. Not surprisingly, the Act has limited or no impact on people’s desire to adopt if they don’t want children or want a child by a different route, such as donor insemination. There is concern that children adopted by same-sex couples might be exposed to prejudice in society and that same-sex couples will only be placed with ‘difficult’ children.
4. What issues do same-sex couples take into account when deciding whether or not to become civil partners?
Issues include: a couple's commitment and if they think a civil partnership will confirm this; whether civil partnership will increase families acceptance of a relationship; if a couple is out; whether a couple want the associated legal rights and responsibilities; the impact of civil partnership on a couple's finances; whether civil partnership will bring social validation; the importance couples place on social validation; whether civil partnership is seen as making same-sex couples equal with heterosexual couples; the importance couples place on this perceived equality; a couple’s desire to define their own relationship.
5. What produced a positive experience for couples during the civil partnership registration process?
The following things contributed to whether or not a couple had a positive experience of their civil partnership: the quality of the Registrar and how respectful, competent, knowledgeable and welcoming they were; if the ceremony was treated with equal dignity and validity as a heterosexual wedding; the quality of information and advice received before the ceremony; the amount of control couples had over the ceremony and how much they were able to personalise it.