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Banks 'outing gay couples'
06 Dec 2007- UK- Generic
bank, insurance and other financial forms are inadvertently outing gay couples,
according to new research.
A study from Citizens Advice reveals gay and lesbian couples are forced into
revealing their sexual orientation in forms when required to state marital or
partnership status.
Also many forms do not have the option to write civil partnership.
One interviewee said: "I’m no longer ticking single [on forms], but I can’t tick
married because I’m not married …but it’s difficult because not all forms are
up-to–date."
The Another Year On report - marking two years since civil partnerships were
brought in – reveals a number of emotional, financial and social costs which
have arisen as a result of the legislation.
Citizens Advice is now calling on financial firms to opt for a single status box
on forms for married/civil partner, leaving the sexual orientation of applicants
unspecified.
It added: "Perhaps more significantly, organisations should be challenged to
consider whether they really need information regarding a person's marital or
partnership status."
The report also found many people heading into a civil partnership do so out of
both emotional and practical or financial reasons – but not all had factored in
all the implications of their decision.
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