International

Gay partnerships legalised in U.K.

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: For Britain's gay partners the moment they had been waiting for arrived on Monday when a progressive law that would grant them virtually the same legal rights as are enjoyed by married heterosexual couples came into force ending centuries-old discrimination against same-sex couples. Hundreds of gay partners across the country rushed to register under the Civil Partnership Act paving the way for a marriage after a two-week "cooling off'' period. The first of gay marriages are expected as early as December 19 and, according to a BBC survey, at least 1,200 same-sex couples had already "scheduled'' their weddings. Among the celebrities who have announced plans to tie marital knots are Elton John and his partner David Furnish. The real action was reported to be in Brighton, known as Britain's unofficial gay capital, where the local council said that it had been inundated with applications for registration. The law will allow gay partners to inherit each other's property and claim financial support in the event of the dissolution of their partnership. Like married couples, they will also have to go through a "divorce'' process. The gay wedding market is estimated to be worth £600 million, according to a survey.

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