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N. Ireland opens way for gay couples to exchange vows

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - Two lesbians become the first gay couple in the United Kingdom to win legal recognition under a civil partnership Monday, a ceremony that attracted scorn from evangelical Christian protesters but praise from gay rights activists.

Grainne Close, a social worker from Northern Ireland, and Shannon Sickels, a playwright from New York, were the first of several hundred gay couples exchanging vows nationwide this week - including Elton John and his longtime partner.

"We are delighted. Here's to many more," Sickels said after she and Close became the first public celebrants of a legally binding gay partnership at Belfast City Hall.

Northern Ireland, which in 1982 was the last region in the United Kingdom to legalize homosexuality, is now the first to grant gay couples the same legal protections as married heterosexuals. Scotland was to follow today, and England and Wales on Wednesday.

"This is about making a choice to have our civil rights acknowledged and respected and protected as any human being," said Sickels, 27, who met her 32-year-old partner in New York four years ago.

But in keeping with the exceptional conservatism of Northern Ireland society, their landmark festivities also drew a few dozen Protestant evangelicals who sang gospel hymns and waved "Sodomy is sin" placards.

Gay rights activists countered with their own bullhorn-assisted chants of support. A few wearing Hitler-style mustaches shadowed the evangelical crowd waving satirical placards that read, "Earth is flat" and "Bring back slavery."

Some lesbian couples who arrived as guests suffered verbal harassment from the protesters, who called them "abominations" and warned of their impending damnation.

Although Monday marked the first day for public civil partnership ceremonies, English judges have granted several gay couples this legal protection, citing emergency circumstances.

On Wednesday, the General Register Office in England says 687 same-sex unions will gain legal recognition. By far the most intensely watched ceremony will be for Elton John and his partner of 12 years, Canadian filmmaker David Furnish.

[Last modified December 20, 2005, 01:51:07]