Pic: LGBT rainbow freedom flag
Brighton and Hove’s Green politicians have welcomed the coming of equal marriage for all and have congratulated the first same-sex couples marrying in the city.
Saturday, 29 March, was the first day same-sex couples can join in civil marriage following a change in the law last year.
Previously, same-sex partners could only enter a civil partnership a separate legal status.
Green councillor Leo Littman, lead councillor responsible for registry office services at Brighton and Hove City Council, said, “I was delighted and proud to have been invited to attend Brighton’s first same-sex wedding in the early hours of this morning.
“It’s not often one gets the chance to see history in the making.
“The huge crowd who waited outside the Pavilion to cheer on the first happy couple are proof positive of how important this change in the law is to the people of our city.
“I’d like to offer Andrew and Neil, and all the other same-sex couples who are getting married on this momentous occasion, my heartfelt congratulations.
“At last their wait is over.
“The law has finally given them the right to do something which heterosexual couples have always been able to take for granted.
“We look forward to welcoming many more couples who have decided to tie the knot in our city.”
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said, “Equality before the law is a fundamental human right and from today same-sex couples can enjoy the full status, protection and symbolism of civil marriage just as opposite-sex couples have always done.
“Voting for the Marriage Act was one of the most important votes I cast last year in Parliament.”
“My best wishes to all the same-sex couples entering into civil marriage in this city on this historic weekend.”
Green Councillor Stephanie Powell, the LGBT Champion on Brighton and Hove City Council, said, “To see same-sex partners gain equality in civil marriage status with heterosexual partners in law, with some marrying this weekend through our city registry office, is a significant milestone in the struggle for sexual equality.
To see equal marriage become law here in the UK, while LGBT people in other countries are right now, being tortured or imprisoned for who they are, and who they love, is especially poignant.
“I’m proud that Brighton and Hove, especially the local LGBT community, the city council and all main local political parties have helped to make this happen.”
Greens have been forefront of the campaign for marriage equality with leading party figures such as human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell advocating reform when the other parties were content with the civil partnership or no legal partnership rights at all.
The first same-sex marriage in Brighton & Hove took place just after midnight on Saturday 29 March.
In Brighton and Hove, a total of five couples will be married on the first day the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act comes into effect.
Notes
For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.