http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4797986/
"A civil partnership bill was introduced in the House of Parliament earlier this month and the House of Lords was set to consider the legislation on Thursday. According to a government spokeswoman, the bill could become law by November, allowing same-sex couples to legalize their partnership a year later."
"To enter a civil partnership, couples will need to sign a register in front of a registration officer and two witnesses.
The union is similar to the responsibilities that come with marriage such that each partner has a responsibility to one another and children of the family.
The bill will give couples social security benefits in the case of a partner's death, as well as pension benefits and the ability to gain parental responsibility for their civil partner's children....
Overall, Britain's Department of Trade and Industry's Women and Equality Unity found 83 percent of the responses to the proposal for civil partnership were in support for the bill....
Other homosexuals remain distrustful. One gay man said he and his partner of 12 years have drawn up wills instead of taking the public route. It was a safer way to legalize their commitment as his partner's family is not aware of their relationship."