First lesbian civil partnership, Worcester 21/12/0
2005
30 First Civil Partnership in Worcester ? 21st December 2005
Abba
and Meridy were aware that the proposal for civil partnership was going
through the Lords, and a year or so later, when it was and when it was
announced that civil partnerships were going to be introduced as what
they consider to be the gay equivalent of marriage they decided to
register. Abba?s mother came father chose not to come. Both of their
mothers attended the ceremony along with a niece. Meridy?s mother and
niece came over from South Africa for the ceremony. The niece was quite
fascinated by seeing them kiss but she was fine with it. Abba said ?We
had sleeveless dresses, in December. From getting up, nothing went
wrong?.
40 Positive media interest in the civil partnership
?We
were the second couple, and the first lesbian couple to register at
Worcester Register Office, at 9:30 a.m. on 21st December 2005 and so
the media showed great interest.?The BBC arranged to film in the
Register Office and Meridy and Abba were promised a DVD of the ceremony
in exchange for granting the BBC permission to film. In the event the
BBC only filmed a clip of the ceremony although the couple were invited
to view the TV coverage at the BBC studios. The other interest came
from the Worcester News which featured a large photograph of the two
brides on its front page. Running up to the big day, they were filmed
picking their dresses etc. On the day of the wedding there was a woman
from the radio when they were trying to get ready, at the Register
Office the media were waiting. Afterwards they were all taking photos,
but we never found out whether their photos were used in the new Civil
Partnership brochure?.
Contributed by: Meridy Swann-Flint, 31