The rush to race for civil partnerships was on Monday as Britain began allowing couples to register for ceremonies that will begin on December 21st. Soho in London and the beach town of Brighton both vied to grab the spotlight on this first day of registration.
“Brighton has gone out of its way to celebrate its large gay minority and to promote the new law as a historic breakthrough. Not to be outdone, Westminster borough has dropped its a ban on the rainbow flags that identify gay bars, clubs and shops in Soho.”
Elton John and David Furnish will “marry” when the laws take effect later this month, and George Michael recently announced he will register with his longtime partner Kenny Goss early next year. Gay.com made its presence known on the eve of the registrations, projecting an image of two men marrying on the side of the Houses of Parliament.
Up to 1,000 couples are expected to register today, including Roger Lockyer and Percy Stevens (above), who have been together for 40 years and want to be the first to tie the knot under the new laws.
Gay Civil Unions are Coming to Britain [guardian]