Gay couples in UK achieve right to tie the knot

Roy Peterson lost his home as well as his boyfriend when Rick died more than a decade ago in the United States where the gay couple's 13-year relationship was not recognized by law.

Now living in London, Peterson, 53, says he does not want to risk suffering the same double tragedy of losing a long-term lover and all the legal rights such as inheritance that are taken for granted by married heterosexual couples.

So he and current partner Paul, 49, decided to become one of the first same-sex couples to tie the knot under a historic new British law that takes effect today, enabling gay or lesbian couples effectively to marry.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to sign so-called civil partnerships over the next five years alone, giving them basically the same rights and privileges as their married, male-female counterparts.

The first ceremonies will take place on December 19 in Northern Ireland, December 20 in Scotland and December 21 in England and Wales.

Peterson, an office manager for the gay rights group Stonewall, said he and Paul, a writer, would exchange vows at 1000 GMT on December 21 in Croydon, south London.

"I like to be making history, making changes for everybody else to be able to benefit from," said Peterson.

The US national understands all too well the importance of a legally enforceable relationship. In 1994, he was living in Florida when his previous partner died of HIV.

"His parents called me their son and his family were very nice to me. Then as soon as he died things turned around the other way. I was pushed out of the house, the locks were changed. There was nothing I could do," Peterson said.

He managed to pick his life up, meeting Paul, a Briton whose surname he did not wish to reveal. The couple eventually moved to London.

They were delighted when the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was passed.

"I wanted to do it as soon as possible," said Peterson.

Some gay partners will celebrate their big day with the same colour and extravagance as many heterosexual marriages.

Others like Peterson are opting for a more low-key affair, noting that they have already been together for years and the civil partnership is more about providing security than proving their love.

Peterson said he will simply sign the legal papers at the register office with Paul and go to work, possibly stopping for lunch on the way.

Brighton, Britain's self-styled "gay capital" on the south coast, promises a much more flamboyant send-off.

The seaside resort will share the honour of hosting England's first civil partnership ceremonies with Westminster in London at 0800 GMT on December 21.

Among two gay couples and one lesbian duo lined up to take the plunge is Roger Lewis, 55, who works as a call adviser for Sussex Police, and his partner Keith Willmott-Goodall, 63.

"Even though we have been together for 14 years, we want to show our commitment to each other," Lewis said.

He also welcomed the ability finally to have rights regarding property, pensions and bereavement. In addition, the new law enables a gay partner to be recognised as the next of kin if the other is admitted to hospital.

The pair along with the Reverend Debbie Gaston and her partner Elaine Cook as well as Gino Meriano and his boyfriend Mike Ullett will "marry" in front of a registrar and two witnesses per couple in Brighton.

Asked what he thought married life would be like, Willmott-Goodall, who is retired, said: "I think we will be the same together, nagging each other as we have done for the past 14 years."

Britain is the fifth country to introduce legislation allowing gay unions after Belgium, Canada, Spain and the Netherlands.

Source: China Daily