Hundreds of gay and lesbian partners applied to tie the knot in Essex as a new law came into force.
A total of 64 couples booked in for appointments at register offices across the county yesterday, applying to wed at the earliest opportunity under the new Civil Partnership Act.
Several marriage ceremonies are expected to take place on December 21, the first day same-sex couples can legally make their union official. Roger Robbins, business development manager for the county council's registration service, said many gay and lesbian partners had waited years to win legal recognition of their relationships.
"A lot of people have decided to register on the first day possible as, in some cases, they have been waiting a considerable period of time to benefit from this new Act of Parliament," he said. "I expect the demand will probably diminish significantly after today."
The civil partnerships will guarantee couples the same benefits as men and women who marry, including the right to claim cash paid into life insurance policies and pension plans in the event of their partner's death.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, December 6, 2005
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