You couldn't make this up
Discussion
Just when you think Political Correctness cannot get any more stupid it ascends into new heights of idiocy.
Telegraph artice below
Romeo might be all right, but Juliet has got to go
By Nigel Bunyan
(Filed: 11/11/2005)
For years couples marrying in the register office made their vows in a room graced with romantic pictures.
One 19th century image portrayed a young woman signing the register beside her new husband. Another depicted an idealised Romeo and Juliet embracing on a swing.
But such imagery appears to have no place in the 21st century, with both pictures being taken down for fear that they may offend a new clientele: the homosexual couples planning to "marry" when a change in the law takes effect next month.
With Romeo, Juliet and the white-veiled bride consigned, at least temporarily, to a store room, all ceremonies will take place in front of landscapes by the 19th century artist Sir David Murray.
Both these paintings, The River Road in one room, Meadow Sweet in the other, have been retrieved from the vaults of Liverpool's Walker Gallery and restored.
To the relief of the local authorities, neither depicts people close enough to allow scrutiny of their possible sexual orientation.
Having struck a blow for political correctness, Liverpool's registrars were overtaken by shyness yesterday.
The chief registrar, Neil McIntyre, was "unavailable', while his subordinates referred all inquiries to Liverpool council's press office.
However, by then details had been confirmed by the register officer, Janet Taubman.
She told the Liverpool Daily Post: "We had two pictures up before. In one room there is a picture of a signing of the register with a young bride.
"The other was of a Romeo and Juliet on a swing. They were innocent pictures but the new paintings are less likely to offend."
The makeover precedes the new law to allow civil ceremonies, thereby giving homosexual couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts.
So far 20 same-sex couples have booked Liverpool register office for their "weddings" and many others have made inquiries.
Officials hope to encourage more gay couples to take part in civil ceremonies. To reinforce this, they have produced a glossy wedding brochure featuring same-sex couples.
Until now they have simply officiated at "commitment ceremonies", which allow gay couples to register their partnership but which carry no legal status.
Mrs Taubman said: "We are looking forward to starting the civil partnerships. People have been waiting for a long time for this.
"We have done 65 same-sex commitment ceremonies up to now, but a lot of people are holding back for the legal gains."
Her colleagues are hoping the new ceremony will attract older couples who have so far preferred to keep their relationships private. The register office and the Walker Gallery have spent £3,500 restoring the paintings.
Carole Codd, who helped select them, said the landscapes fitted in because they were "neutral and it's very difficult for people not to like a landscape. They also don't point to one particular ceremony". Although the new law comes into effect on Dec 5, the first same-sex "weddings" will not take place until Dec 21.
The partnerships will allow gays and lesbians to benefit from a dead partner's pension, grant them next-of-kin rights in hospitals, and exempt them from inheritance tax on a partner's home.
Partners will even be able to dissolve the agreement in the equivalent of a divorce.
John Castellain, 31, and his bride, Mandy, 34, were among the first to marry in one of the new-look suites.
Mr Castellain, of Wavertree, Liverpool, said: "It seems a bit sad that they have taken down those romantic pictures, but it won't ruin my big day. Anyone coming here to get married would agree that the ceremony is the important thing, not the paintings on the walls."
Kevin Smith, 52, a holistic therapist, who has gone through a commitment ceremony with his partner, Hamilton de Oliveira, was against the makeover. "Getting married is a personal thing and a painting has nothing to do with marriage," he said.
"Putting up a landscape is ludicrous. We're not offended by scenes of a heterosexual couple - we're not in the Stone Age any more."
But Mike Homfray, of the Merseyside Gay and Lesbian Forum, welcomed the change.
"I wouldn't be offended by the old images, but I do support what the register office is trying to do,' he said.
"The city has been at the forefront in promoting commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples and is a great role model for others to follow."
A spokesman for the council claimed that the pictures of Romeo and Juliet and the bride were going to be displayed in the reception area. There was no sign of them yesterday.
Telegraph artice below
Romeo might be all right, but Juliet has got to go
By Nigel Bunyan
(Filed: 11/11/2005)
For years couples marrying in the register office made their vows in a room graced with romantic pictures.
One 19th century image portrayed a young woman signing the register beside her new husband. Another depicted an idealised Romeo and Juliet embracing on a swing.
But such imagery appears to have no place in the 21st century, with both pictures being taken down for fear that they may offend a new clientele: the homosexual couples planning to "marry" when a change in the law takes effect next month.
With Romeo, Juliet and the white-veiled bride consigned, at least temporarily, to a store room, all ceremonies will take place in front of landscapes by the 19th century artist Sir David Murray.
Both these paintings, The River Road in one room, Meadow Sweet in the other, have been retrieved from the vaults of Liverpool's Walker Gallery and restored.
To the relief of the local authorities, neither depicts people close enough to allow scrutiny of their possible sexual orientation.
Having struck a blow for political correctness, Liverpool's registrars were overtaken by shyness yesterday.
The chief registrar, Neil McIntyre, was "unavailable', while his subordinates referred all inquiries to Liverpool council's press office.
However, by then details had been confirmed by the register officer, Janet Taubman.
She told the Liverpool Daily Post: "We had two pictures up before. In one room there is a picture of a signing of the register with a young bride.
"The other was of a Romeo and Juliet on a swing. They were innocent pictures but the new paintings are less likely to offend."
The makeover precedes the new law to allow civil ceremonies, thereby giving homosexual couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts.
So far 20 same-sex couples have booked Liverpool register office for their "weddings" and many others have made inquiries.
Officials hope to encourage more gay couples to take part in civil ceremonies. To reinforce this, they have produced a glossy wedding brochure featuring same-sex couples.
Until now they have simply officiated at "commitment ceremonies", which allow gay couples to register their partnership but which carry no legal status.
Mrs Taubman said: "We are looking forward to starting the civil partnerships. People have been waiting for a long time for this.
"We have done 65 same-sex commitment ceremonies up to now, but a lot of people are holding back for the legal gains."
Her colleagues are hoping the new ceremony will attract older couples who have so far preferred to keep their relationships private. The register office and the Walker Gallery have spent £3,500 restoring the paintings.
Carole Codd, who helped select them, said the landscapes fitted in because they were "neutral and it's very difficult for people not to like a landscape. They also don't point to one particular ceremony". Although the new law comes into effect on Dec 5, the first same-sex "weddings" will not take place until Dec 21.
The partnerships will allow gays and lesbians to benefit from a dead partner's pension, grant them next-of-kin rights in hospitals, and exempt them from inheritance tax on a partner's home.
Partners will even be able to dissolve the agreement in the equivalent of a divorce.
John Castellain, 31, and his bride, Mandy, 34, were among the first to marry in one of the new-look suites.
Mr Castellain, of Wavertree, Liverpool, said: "It seems a bit sad that they have taken down those romantic pictures, but it won't ruin my big day. Anyone coming here to get married would agree that the ceremony is the important thing, not the paintings on the walls."
Kevin Smith, 52, a holistic therapist, who has gone through a commitment ceremony with his partner, Hamilton de Oliveira, was against the makeover. "Getting married is a personal thing and a painting has nothing to do with marriage," he said.
"Putting up a landscape is ludicrous. We're not offended by scenes of a heterosexual couple - we're not in the Stone Age any more."
But Mike Homfray, of the Merseyside Gay and Lesbian Forum, welcomed the change.
"I wouldn't be offended by the old images, but I do support what the register office is trying to do,' he said.
"The city has been at the forefront in promoting commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples and is a great role model for others to follow."
A spokesman for the council claimed that the pictures of Romeo and Juliet and the bride were going to be displayed in the reception area. There was no sign of them yesterday.
It must be time to jump ship.
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