Gay couples in Northern Ireland have started to put their names forward for civil union ceremonies.
The first ceremonies in the UK under the Civil Partnerships Act can take place in the province on 19 December.
It will enable gay and lesbian couples to form civil partnerships after decades of campaigning for a change in the law.
Twenty couples made provisional bookings for registration at Belfast City Hall and six in Londonderry.
In 1982, Northern Ireland became the last place in the UK to decriminalise homosexuality.
Northern Ireland will now become the first to hold a same sex ceremony, with Scotland and England and Wales following on 20 and 21 December respectively.
Under the law, couples who want to form a partnership must register their intentions with local councils.
Belfast couple Henry Kane and Christopher Flanagan, were among the first to register their intentions at the city hall.
Mr Flanagan said they went through the paperwork and discussed their choice of music and vows.
"It's taking us seriously as being a couple," he said.
Source
The first ceremonies in the UK under the Civil Partnerships Act can take place in the province on 19 December.
It will enable gay and lesbian couples to form civil partnerships after decades of campaigning for a change in the law.
Twenty couples made provisional bookings for registration at Belfast City Hall and six in Londonderry.
In 1982, Northern Ireland became the last place in the UK to decriminalise homosexuality.
Northern Ireland will now become the first to hold a same sex ceremony, with Scotland and England and Wales following on 20 and 21 December respectively.
Under the law, couples who want to form a partnership must register their intentions with local councils.
Belfast couple Henry Kane and Christopher Flanagan, were among the first to register their intentions at the city hall.
Mr Flanagan said they went through the paperwork and discussed their choice of music and vows.
"It's taking us seriously as being a couple," he said.
Source