21 Dec 05

by: Ben Townley, gay.com

The first civil partnerships to be held in England and Wales have already taken place, with hundreds of other couples lining up to celebrate their relationship this week.

Manchester, Brighton and London are expected to be the hub of activity today, with the first three couples in England and Wales marrying at Brighton register office early this morning.

Ceremonies have already taken place in Northern Ireland and Scotland, which allowed the first couple through the register office doors on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

In Brighton three couples arrived at the register office early to have their relationship recognised.

One of the couples, Gino Meriano and Mike Ullett, did so despite receiving death threats earlier this week.

The threats warned Meriano, who has had a high profile throughout the run-up to the new laws, that he would be risking his life if he went ahead with the ceremony. Police are now investigating the claims.

Another 12 couples are expected to celebrate their relationship in Brighton and Hove today, with around 500 already provisionally booking their civil partnership.

In London, the London Eye is hosting its first civil partnership today, with organisers lighting the tourist icon pink last night to celebrate.

Dave Cook, 36, and James Wright, 30, from Clapham will exchange vows at the top of the wheel - 135m above the capital - in a 15-minute civil ceremony conducted by Lambeth’s civil partnership registrar.

Nearly 150 couples are expected to hold civil partnerships in London today, with hundreds more lining up to celebrate in the coming weeks.

One of the most high profile couples to tie the knot will be Sir Elton John and David Furnish who are having a low-key registration in Windsor.

The pair will then celebrate with a glitzy party, inviting the cream of Britain’s celebrity world.