Wednesday, March 20, 2002
English city to hold it’s first same-sex 'wedding'
A story released today by the Manchester Evening News reports that the city of Manchester, England will have its first same-sex ‘wedding’ by the middle of next month.
The ceremony, though having no legal validity, will be performed by register office staff.
City council chiefs are due to approve plans for the new partnership register service this week.
Couples will sign a partnership register and make a declaration of life-long commitment to each other at the ceremony. The register and ceremony will be open to straight couples as well as same-sex partners.
The ceremony will be performed by officials from the register office at the council's marriage suite in Heron House - or at other locations for an increased charge. The standard charge will be £97.50.
Despite having no legal validity, council campaigners say the register is an important step towards full equality for gays and lesbians.
Count Mary Murphy, the council's spokeswoman on same-sex issues, said: ‘‘I am very excited this is going to happen, and I am pleased that it's happening in Manchester because we have always tried to keep the equality issue to the forefront."
