Funding for National Marriage week has been cut off by the government as part of a shift towards supporting non-marital relationships, including homosexual ones. Almost £5 million is being distributed during the next financial year by the Lord Chancellor’s

Department under its Marriage and Relationship Support (Mars) programme. But the charity Futureway Trust- which runs National Marriage Week and asked for £70,000 next year- has lost out, despite being backed in the past by the Government. So too, has a multi- faith marriage project supported by the Family Matters Institute, another Christian charity.

However £ 48,000 has been allocated to the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and £ 46,000 to the project for Advocacy, Counselling and Education, which promotes “ Lesbian and gay health and well-being.”

Relate which receives the biggest Mars grant of more than £2 million, offers its services to anyone having problems in “all kinds of relationships”.

Other grants are specifically targeted at ethnic minority groups. One of the biggest grants- £150,000- has gone to 2as1.net, an organisation representing the Black Community in Britain.

It has also received £186,000 for research projects. The money is paid out under Clause 22 of the Family Law Act.

Source: The Daily Telegraph ( Tuesday March 12th, 2002-05-29 )