Same sex Union
A controversial motion to allow same sex partners of Oxford Union members to qualify for membership was passed without opposition in the Chamber last Thursday.
Ex-Treasurer Laura Poots, who had originally proposed the motion, told The OxStu that she was "very pleased it passed with no objection as any opposition could have been interpreted as homophobic, even if that was not the basis on which it was brought."
The motion was backed by Standing Committee with a vote of 13-3 a week previously, something that may have ensured that there was no official opposition in the Chamber.
Objections had been raised by some members of the Union; one senior member privately argued that it was not sensible to pass a rule change based on the Civil Partnership Bill that is currently still in the committee stage at the House of Lords, and which is not expected to become law for at least another year.
Concerns were also raised regarding the validity of the partnerships that would be legitimised by the bill, and of the moral issues involved, but in the event no objections were brought forward on either basis.
Poots conceded that the concerns of members surrounding the premature nature of the motion were valid but insisted that it was very much to the Union's advantage to have the rules in place for when the Civil Partnership Bill is eventually passed.
The rule change does undoubtedly show foresight and makes the Union appear more progressive, especially in the light of criticisms continually levelled against it for being old-fashioned and out of touch.
20th May 2004