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23rd April 2012

Metro has welcomed the decision by Thanet District Council to support equal marriage for LGBT people. The vote took place at a meeting of the Council last Thursday (19th April).

Thanet District Council voted on a motion put forward by Independent Councillors Ian Driver and John Worrow, to support the Government's proposals for equal marriage which are currently being consulted on. The motion sets out the Council's supports of the removal of the ban on same-sex couples being able to have a marriage through a civil ceremony and the proposal to allow transsexual people to change their legal gender without having to legally end their existing marriage or civil partnership.

With a two thirds majority vote, the motion also commits the Council to responding positively to the Government's consultation and means that Thanet is one of the very first councils in England to formally support equal marriage in this way.

Marguerite McLaughlin, Metro CEO said:
"I am absolutely delighted that Thanet District Council has taken this action in support of equality. It sends out the right message to Thanet residents and to councils up and down the country, that equality is everyone's business. As a provider of services to LGBT people in Kent and Medway, we know that it will be heartening for all LGBT people in Kent and beyond, to have this level of support and we hope that it will encourage more people to respond to the consultation on equal marriage positively."

ENDS
For all media queries:
Patricia Durr, Head of Communications & PR, [email protected] 020 8305 5000 x136, 07912515397

Notes to Editors:
1. The Home Office consultation ends on 14th June and can be accessedhere
2. The full motion can be accessed on Thanet District Council's websitehere
3. Metro promotes equality and provides health, community and youth services across London and Kent. It has been providing services in Greenwich since 1984 and now also has sites in Vauxhall and Woolwich working across a number of London boroughs and in Kent and Medway.