Changing the official wording used during civil ceremonies will not alter the legal status of same-sex couples

A majority of Copenhagen City Councillors are backing a proposal to allow homosexual couples to be declared ‘married’ when they enter civil unions at City Hall.

Culture and Leisure Deputy Mayor Pia Allerslev, the proposal’s sponsor, said the change was a matter of language. She was not seeking to change legal marriage rights for homosexuals.

Currently, when people are joined in same-sex unions at City Hall, the presiding official pronounces the couple as ‘registered partners’.

Allerslev previously contacted the prime minister regarding the issue but was sent a rejection letter by the Justice Ministry.

The council majority is now hoping its collective weight will encourage the ministry to present a law change proposal to parliament allowing the change.

‘It is important to send a signal that we have equality when it comes to something as beautiful as love,’ Allerslev said.

‘We want to send a powerful appeal to the Justice Ministry and whole government and say put an end to this. We’re in 2009 and must have equality in this area.’