Inequality for gay partners of Lords and knights

We thought you might be interested in reading the following press release which has been recently sent to the media.

PRESS RELEASE

King’s honour and House of Lords inequality for gay partners

Days before the first anniversary of same-sex marriages being legalised in the UK, the argument for gay couples to receive the same title privileges as their heterosexual counterparts has intensified.

Currently, the wives of men awarded a knighthood or peerage are entitled to call themselves Lady. However, gay male married partners are not given a title.

For example, when Sir Richard Branson received a knighthood, his wife became Lady Joan Branson.

However, when Sir Elton John married David Furnish (pictured above) he did not receive a title.

A suitable title for a male partner might be: “The Honourable…” says Mark Llewellyn-Slade, Managing Director, Awards Intelligence.

This would mean that Sir Elton’s partner would be known as ‘The Honourable David Furnish’. The same rights would of course be given to all relevant partners in same-sex marriages.

Mark Llewellyn-Slade explains that: “While this dollop of inequality is unlikely to affect a huge number of people, the issue should be addressed sooner rather than later as it gives out the wrong message to the gay community and wider society. We know from experience that titles are important to the wives of titled men, why should partners in a gay marriage not benefit from the same privileges? It would be a shame to see titles for wives of titled men removed to achieve equality, I’d much rather see everyone get a title, whatever that might be ”.

END

Notes to editors:

For further information contact:

Mark Llewellyn-Slade, Managing Director, Awards Intelligence.

Tel: +01273 006803 / 07770380647

Email:mark@awardsintelligence.co.uk

About Awards Intelligence

Awards Intelligence are the world’s leading personal honours and business award experts. We provide our clients with invaluable advice and guidance, save them precious time and significantly increase their chances of success. We help people to nominate outstanding individuals for Queen’s honours such as an MBE, OBE, knighthood and we help people to apply to the House of Lords and for other high level public appointments. We also help exceptional companies to find, enter and win business awards. The average success rate across all awards and personal honours is estimated to be about 1 in 10 (10%) and our success rate is 1 in 2 (50%).

Please note: Nobody referred to in this press release is a client of Awards Intelligence. They have been used for illustrative purposes only.