Well now it's official...

While the United States argues and counter argues about whether or not  it will ever  treat me the same as every other citizen ,  the United Kingdom  without any fuss, drama or debate, today gave me this...

Ok the really really bad digital picture aside,  in the eyes of   Her Majesty's Government, all that was  needed  for my  relationship to be  given the full  legal rights,  responsibilities and  protections  as any other legal spousal relationship, was simply  the fact that Eric and I are Civil Partners.

No need for a public vote on our rights,  no  national debate on whether or not  England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are "ready" for something as "controversial" as equality.   Just a simple application process and the amazing feeling  of being  treated no differently  than any other legal spouse in the UK.  

As I  walked up Oxford Street heading to my office this morning after picking up my new biometric permanent  residency permit card, (The UK equivalent of a US "Green Card"),  I looked around at the hustle and bustle  of London  and  one thought ran through my mind;  The bigots of the American Taliban can go to Hell.  There is nothing they could do to deny us this,   Because  We live here.   What's more,  the full force of  the Government of this nation,  by the act of  issuing a simple plastic card,  just said  to us..

"Congratulations Gents,  and  Dave... Welcome Home."

Meanwhile, back across the Atlantic..

Kinda puts the whole DOMA debate back in the United States in perspective,  doesn't it?