Previous (same sex) relationship.

I have to agree that this is getting a bit out of hand and taking a turn the wrong way.  Point is someone else might be in the same type of situation and I think the last suggestion to go to the source is the best one. In the end all this can maybe help someone else in similar circumstances.

Also I can understand wanting to hide it.  The world is not such a forgiving place as we like to think.     That is just my opinion and not a suggestion.

I apologize for going to official websites and doing research myself. Sorry if I hurt anyone's egos. There are times when the information I receive from people on message boards conflicts with "official" information.  There are times when people report their personal experiences as if they were universal. I would rather go to the source, if I can. That doesn't mean I am not interested in other people's experiences or advice.

I'll contact one of the Consulates and find out.

You'll find a disclaimer in this section--none of us are experts and only give advice based on what we've learned by going through the process ourselves.  If you don't want our advice, don't ask for it!  You are encouraged to do your own research.  You are encouraged to question our advice.  But you're not encouraged to ask the same question eight times, eight different ways in the hope that someone will say what you want to hear.  There is NOT one way to do any of this.  The official information isn't all-encompassing and every situation is different.  

You don't need a cover letter.  You do need to admit you're in a legally recognised partnership (whether or not it's dissolved at the time of your visa application).  Any other questions?  Call the freaking consulate.

Yes, I think we can all give ideas and sweetpeach is doing what she can to clarify, and this could be to also seek out other information as well as getting our own thoughts/experiences. But for all our conjectures, the bottom line ruling comes from the consulate.

I too had frustrating times contacting them and not being forgotten about in a phone queue. It was the man I was coming to be with who phoned and got to talk with a sane voice...I think the British accent did it.

If you live nearby, could you go in and ask for clarification? They can't ignore a body standing right in front.

I'd love to find out the ruling on this...let us know how it goes, okay?

Britwife, I am offended that you think I would consider a 17-year gay relationship to be less emotionally significant than a marriage because it is gay.  I am stating, truthfully, that such a relationship is legally far from equivalent to a marriage. That is why people are fighting for the right of gays to marry.

I  didn't mean to offend you. I was merely trying to point out that if you are in a living together relationship whether it be straight or gay, it is akin to marriage.  You keep asking for people's advice on how to handle this situation, and when people give you advice you just want to argue about it and tell us that you know better. So, if you have all the answers, why ask the question?!

I think you'll find that homo/hetero/bisexuals are welcomed here.  Nobody knew you were bisexual until you brought it up.  And nobody cared.

You are right, Lola. I think that gay people are generally made to feel welcome on this forum. At least I can say I feel welcome.

 

I have to agree that this is getting a bit out of hand and taking a turn the wrong way.  Point is someone else might be in the same type of situation and I think the last suggestion to go to the source is the best one. In the end all this can maybe help someone else in similar circumstances.

Also I can understand wanting to hide it.  The world is not such a forgiving place as we like to think.     That is just my opinion and not a suggestion.

You are correct. I apologize for my part it getting out of hand. I took offense at the suggestion that the relationship would raise eyebrows because of the gender of the parties involved, or that my life was a Springer Show.  Especially since I expressed my reservations about this at the beginning of the thread, and was informed by a member of an umarried partnership that UK immigration is very fair when it comes to dealing with gay people.  Based on that information, I seriously doubt that immigration would deny my visa because I am bisexual. If they would, something should be done about that.

I was not offended because it was suggested that I tell the Consulate about my relationship. I think that is very good advice, by the way.

If I posted the same question repeatedly, it is because each time I provided different information about the situation, or I thought that the person I was responding to did not understand the whole situation. Or because it seemed like someone had not read my previous posts, or misinterpreted what I meant to say. Perhaps I should have just linked to the other post if I thought someone had missed it. My only excuse for that is laziness in posting.

By the way, I PM'd Garry and asked for his qualifications on giving advice. He responded very politely and respectfully. He did not throw a hissy fit because I dared to question his authority.  He seems like a very mature individual and I respect him very much now. I hope he doesn't mind my mentioning this, but I'd like to give credit where credit is due.

Cheers.

You are right, Lola. I think that gay people are generally made to feel welcome on this forum. At least I can say I feel welcome.

 

I felt that way also, which is why I posted this in the first place. I am sorry for letting the comments of a couple of people upset me, when nothing else said was in anyway offensive.

P.S. Lola, I brought up my bisexuality because it was relevant to the issue, dontcha think

PS Peedal really did not mean it that way...she is a nice peep...

and hey it could be more eyebrow raising and  you could be bisexual that was involved with your own step daughter now getting married to your first cousin!

By the way, I PM'd Garry and asked for his qualifications on giving advice. He responded very politely and respectfully. He did not throw a hissy fit because I dared to question his authority.  He seems like a very mature individual and I respect him very much now. I hope he doesn't mind my mentioning this, but I'd like to give credit where credit is due.

Well, I'll speak for myself on this one.  I didn't throw a hissy fit.  If I had a) you'd have known it, and b) there was no reason -- I never asserted my "authority".  You asked for advice, I gave it.  You asked again, I gave it again.  You asked a few more times, I responded some more.  

But whatever.  Life's too short for me to worry about your visa application.

T'rah.  

You are right, Lola. I think that gay people are generally made to feel welcome on this forum. At least I can say I feel welcome.

 

Good, misch.  I was actually going to mention you, but I didn't want you to be the "token" gay guy!     But yeah, everyone is welcomed here!

PS Peedal really did not mean it that way...she is a nice peep...

OK. I'll accept that.

OK.  All questions have been answered.  You are free to take or leave any and all advise given.  Hope it helped. 

And all people are categorically welcomed here, regardless of age, sex, religion, race, sexual preference or spelling ability.  Are we clear on that one?