‘Man and wife? No, we’re equal’ say Tower Hamlets’ first mixed sex civil partnership couple
Rachel and Jonny are the first mixed sex couple recognised as a civil partnership by Tower Hamlets Council. Picture: LBTH - Credit: LBTH
Barrister Rachel Barrett and civil servant Jonny Richards are the first mixed sex couple to sign a civil partnership at Tower Hamlets Register Office.
Barrister Rachel Barrett and civil servant Jonny Richards are the first mixed sex couple to sign a civil partnership at Tower Hamlets Register Office.
The couple have been together for 16 years living in Bow, but never got married.
Instead, they are the first mixed sex couple to register their relationship with Tower Hamlets Council in a brief ceremony at Bromley Public Hall on New Year's Eve.
This follows a change in the law allowing such civil partnerships. Gay couples have had that legal right for several years.
You may also want to watch:
"Equality in the law has been established," Jonny said. "This allows people to redefine the social norms and be able to enter into truly equal partnerships."
"We didn't want a basic civil marriage," Jonny added. "This would still tie us to the language of the state recognising us as 'husband' and 'wife' rather than equal partners."
The couple have congratulations from the Mayor of Tower Hamlets who now wants more couples to step up to the plate for civil partnerships.
Most Read
- 1 Tribute to 7th Barts Health Trust worker to die of Covid-19
- 2 Airbnb house party violence leaves police officer with broken finger
- 3 Teenager found dead in Victoria Park
- 4 Drug and alcohol abuse by Tower Hamlets parents and children soars
- 5 Driver arrested after police 'drugs patrol' stops car in Whitechapel
- 6 Disgraceful management of the pandemic
- 7 'We need laptops for lockdown children to learn from home’ Tower Hamlets mayor urges
- 8 Two in five people in Tower Hamlets may have had Covid-19
- 9 'Laptop bonanza' for schoolchildren in Poplar to help survive lockdown gloom