Gay couples set for wedding joy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gay couples set for wedding joy

GAY couples in west Wiltshire are already preparing to tie the knot for when the new civil partnership laws come into force in December.

Gary Jefferson, manager of Gay Men's Health Wiltshire and Swindon, said a number of couples were voicing an interest in marrying at recognised ceremonies in the county.

Civil partnership ceremonies can legally take place from December 5, and will entitle married partners to the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Trowbridge Register Office is one of the venues in Wiltshire being considered to host the marriages.

Mr Jefferson said: "I have had one or two people who have discussed it with me so I do know there are some couples who are considering when to arrange their ceremony. I imagine next year we will see quite an interest in people registering.

"But it's difficult to say how many gay people will go forward with civil ceremonies because it's not possible to arrange it at the moment."

It is expected a number of homosexual couples will use the opportunity to seal their relationships, and Mr Jefferson said it was a groundbreaking step forward.

"To me the important issue in registering your partnership is that for the first time gay people will have that choice and are seen as a legitimate partnership in the eyes of the law and I hope in time it will become more acceptable in society, without gay people having to look over their shoulder."

Bath and North East Somerset Council has confirmed a number of couples are intending to take part in civil partnership ceremonies in Bath.

Mr Jefferson said he welcomed news that Wiltshire County Council is ready to take down details of those interested in marrying.

A county council spokesman said since receiving government guidelines for gay marriages in April, they have been concentrating on working their way through the red tape.

He said Trowbridge Register Office had been considered as a possible venue.

"We are working on getting all the administration in place to perform the partnerships," he said.

"There is nothing confirmed in Wiltshire as yet but we have had some tentative inquiries and are prepared and ready to go as and when.

"It's more than likely the register office would be used."