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Step Forward Into Past for British Gay Couples: Coats of Arms Step Forward Into Past for British Gay Couples: Coats of Arms
(4 months later)
LONDON — First, same-sex couples in Britain won the right to civil partnerships, then to full marriage. Now, they can have their own coats of arms. LONDON — First, same-sex couples in Britain won the right to civil partnerships, then to full marriage. Now, they can have their own coats of arms.
The College of Arms, guardian of noble titles and insignia here since the 15th century, has issued a ruling that married same-sex couples may combine their heraldic symbols on a single shield as generations of heterosexual aristocracy have done before them.The College of Arms, guardian of noble titles and insignia here since the 15th century, has issued a ruling that married same-sex couples may combine their heraldic symbols on a single shield as generations of heterosexual aristocracy have done before them.
An officer of the college, Lancaster Herald Robert Noel — the first two names are his title — said on Friday that the change “seemed natural and logical.” The legalization of same-sex marriage took effect on March 29.An officer of the college, Lancaster Herald Robert Noel — the first two names are his title — said on Friday that the change “seemed natural and logical.” The legalization of same-sex marriage took effect on March 29.
The custom for arms-bearing aristocrats joining in marriage, Mr. Noel told The Associated Press, has been “to divide a shield vertically down the middle and place the arms of the husband on one side and the arms of the wife on the other.”The custom for arms-bearing aristocrats joining in marriage, Mr. Noel told The Associated Press, has been “to divide a shield vertically down the middle and place the arms of the husband on one side and the arms of the wife on the other.”
The same is now possible for same-sex couples, yet the effect is likely to be minor.The same is now possible for same-sex couples, yet the effect is likely to be minor.
Today, only about 1 percent of Britons have a coat of arms, a privilege traditionally reserved for nobility and gentry, although anyone can apply for one. If the College of Arms accepts an application, its heralds will design the arms with the guidance of the bearer at a cost of 5,250 pounds, or about $8,850.Today, only about 1 percent of Britons have a coat of arms, a privilege traditionally reserved for nobility and gentry, although anyone can apply for one. If the College of Arms accepts an application, its heralds will design the arms with the guidance of the bearer at a cost of 5,250 pounds, or about $8,850.
The gay rights group Stonewall welcomed the change. “Most people would agree that this is a quirky, antiquated tradition, but it’s nice that this tradition has now caught up with the reality of modern Britain,” said Richard Lane, media manager at Stonewall.The gay rights group Stonewall welcomed the change. “Most people would agree that this is a quirky, antiquated tradition, but it’s nice that this tradition has now caught up with the reality of modern Britain,” said Richard Lane, media manager at Stonewall.
Other traditions have not. While the wives of lords or barons automatically become ladies or baronesses, the partners of gay members of the House of Lords are still denied this privilege, as are the partners of female peers, whatever their sexual orientation.Other traditions have not. While the wives of lords or barons automatically become ladies or baronesses, the partners of gay members of the House of Lords are still denied this privilege, as are the partners of female peers, whatever their sexual orientation.
There are several openly gay peers in the House of Lords. Among them are Peter Mandelson, or Lord Mandelson, a former cabinet minister; Ray Collins, or Baron Collins of Highbury, a former general secretary of the Labour Party; and Elizabeth Barker, Baroness Barker of Anagach, a leader of the Liberal Democrats. All were appointed, as are most members of the Lords.There are several openly gay peers in the House of Lords. Among them are Peter Mandelson, or Lord Mandelson, a former cabinet minister; Ray Collins, or Baron Collins of Highbury, a former general secretary of the Labour Party; and Elizabeth Barker, Baroness Barker of Anagach, a leader of the Liberal Democrats. All were appointed, as are most members of the Lords.
Compared to issues like, say, campaigns against antigay legislation in places like Uganda, Nigeria and Russia, securing titles for partners of “gay members of the House of Lords is not exactly a priority,” said Mr. Lane of Stonewall. But, in time, he said, these anachronisms “should go.”Compared to issues like, say, campaigns against antigay legislation in places like Uganda, Nigeria and Russia, securing titles for partners of “gay members of the House of Lords is not exactly a priority,” said Mr. Lane of Stonewall. But, in time, he said, these anachronisms “should go.”