Gay marriage ban challenge delayed

(Reuters)

A plan to test the UK's ban on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships has been stalled by a local government council incorrectly replying to one of eight English couples set on arguing the twin bans are unlawful and should be reversed.

Four gay couples who have been refused marriage licences at register offices across England, along with four heterosexual couples wanting to be legally recognised as civil partners, planned on filing a joint application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg today.

To lodge the application, all couples need paperwork proving they have applied for a marriage or civil service licence and been rejected.

Because Camden Council mistook heterosexual couple Stephanie Munro and Andrew O'Neil as a gay couple, the "Equal Love" campaign to test gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships has been stalled until at least next month, co-ordinator Peter Tatchell said.