Campaigning for equality (From Croydon Guardian)

Campaigning for equality

2:34pm Wednesday 26th October 2005

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Roger Burg and Ross Burgess have been campaigning for equal homosexual rights for more than 10 years.

The couple play a large role in the Croydon Area Gay Society otherwise known as CAGS organising social events, setting up websites and lobbying Parliament.

They now plan to become one of the first gay couples to form a civil partnership in Croydon, on December 21 this year, just 15 days after the Civil Partnership Act comes into force.

The new legislation gives same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples.

"After we have our civil partnership, we will really regard ourselves as the equivalent of a married couple, it will give us tax benefits, but also legal obligations to each other," Ross says.

"We have long felt that stable same-sex relationships deserve the same recognition that opposite sex couples receive."

Roger adds: "We have been campaigning for this for years. It means there are a range of matters where there will be legal parity with opposite sex couples."

The couple, both over 50, have been together for seven-and-a-half years.

They discovered there were not many forums or social groups outside cities, which is what inspired them to get involved and try to improve the situation.

Ross, secretary of CAGS, also helps an umbrella group SLAGO - the Surrey and London Association of Gay Organisations. Before moving to Croydon, he had set up a society in Tunbridge Wells, and Roger founded the Redhill Area Gay Society.

Earlier this year the couple took part in the Gay Pride parade in London joining the Age Concern float. Although the law has improved Roger and Ross say they will continue to support gay rights campaigns.

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