15,500 'gay weddings' in Britain*

 From correspondents in London

December 05, 2006 05:49am
Article from: Agence France-Presse

MORE than 15,500 same-sex couples formally cemented their relationship
in law since new legislation was introduced in Britain a year ago,
according to provisional government data released today.

The Office for National Statistics said 15,672 gays and lesbians formed
civil partnerships since then up to the end of September.

Of these, 14,084 were in England, 537 in Wales, 942 in Scotland and 109
in Northern Ireland.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on December 5 last year,
enabling same-sex couples aged 16 and over to formally register their
relationship and obtain similar legal rights to heterosexual couples.

The first ceremonies were held in Northern Ireland on December 19,
followed by Scotland a day later and England and Wales on December 21.

Data shows that there was a rush to form civil partnerships in the first
month - almost 2000 were formed last December.

London and south-east England were the most popular regions for civil
partnerships while up to the end of September, more men had "tied the
knot" than women in all four countries.

In the first month, more mature same-sex couples formed civil
partnerships - only 12 per cent were under 35 in December, but by
September that had doubled to 25 per cent.

Conversely, the number of partners aged 50 and over fell by just over
half - from 50 per cent to 24 per cent.

A civil partnership ceremony is much like a civil wedding, although the
short-hand term "gay marriage" has no legal force and same-sex
ceremonies are not allowed in church.

Granting new rights in areas such as employment, pension and
inheritance, civil partnerships give gay couples close to the same
rights and responsibilities as their married, heterosexual counterparts.

Notable figures who have cemented their relationship include British pop
star Elton John and his long-term partner, the Canadian film maker David
Furnish.