CAMPAIGNERS at Durham University have sent a 1,346-name petition to the Government calling for gay marriage.
The petition was organised by the university's Durham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Association (LGBTA) and sent to the Government's Women and Equality Unit.
It was started during an awareness week in February, featuring the mock weddings of two same-sex couples.
The Government has published a White Paper on civil partnerships, which have a separate legal status to marriage, but it has no plans to offer civil marriage to same-sex couples, which the association and Durham Students Union is calling for.
The association is asking Jacqui Smith, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, why full marriage is not being given to gays.
Chris Henderson, of the association, said: "We welcome the many positive measures in the impending civil partnerships legislation.
"Same-sex couples still want the right to marry. The size of this petition should serve as an effective demonstration of the strength of feeling out there.''
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