Drum roll, please.
The first same-sex wedding in the UK goes to…lesbians Shannon Sickels and Grainne Close, married in Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland Monday. One additional female couple and one male couple were also married. They were met by groups of protestors.
Close: “We just want to say that this is a very privileged position we are in this morning, and for us this is about making a choice.”
Sickels: “This is about making a choice to have our civil rights acknowledged and respected and protected, and we could not be here without the hard work of many queer activists and many individuals from the queer community.”
The ceremony featured a recording of Dolly Parton's “Touch Your Woman.”
Spreading the holiday cheer.
Homophobia for Dummies.
But bring back my pants first, please.
Always a bridesmaid, finally, now, a bride.
ADDENDUM: As I was reminded in the comments section, the first same-sex civil partnership did take place earlier this month when a gay couple was given special dispensation to marry because one of them was battling cancer. Unfortunately, that man passed the following day. These weddings in Belfast are, however, the first to take place as the laws take effect for the general public.
