The U.K.’s first gay marriage has just taken place in Camden, North London. This is an historic moment for the gay community of the UK and for gay people around the world.
The wedding ceremony of Sinclair Treadway, 20, and Sean Adl-Tabatabai (pictured), 32, took place at Camden Town Hall at the stroke of midnight, when the U.K.’s new same-sex marriage laws came into force.
Here’s an extract from the speech by openly gay (and rather handsome) Mayor of Camden, Jonathan Simpson, who spoke at the wedding:
It is a great pleasure to welcome you hear tonight to Camden Town Hall on this hugely important and historic occasion – the first same sex marriage in England and Wales, and indeed the marriage of Sean and Sinclair.
Camden has a long and proud history in campaigning on human rights – with Ghandi studying here and the International Anti-Apartheid movement basing itself locally for decades.
This history is what makes Camden one of the most culturally diverse and socially cohesive parts of London. On reflection, it is astonishing to see how far LGBT rights have moved in this country.
Just 47 years ago – homosexual relationships in the UK could end in imprisonment, or result in a life of psychiatric care.
This was a reality – with important historic figures like Alan Turing taking their lives rather than live in fear of persecution.
Since then we have slowly but surely seen a change in laws and attitudes around LGBT rights. We’ve had some major hurdles, such as Section 28, and some victories like the adoption of civil partnerships.
We’ve seen more people openly come out – from politicians, Olympic athletes, authors and actors, all declaring their sexuality proudly.
Tonight is another huge step in civil rights for our country and also an acknowledgement that love conquers all.
But tonight cannot be seen as the final step. We cannot leave here tonight and think that our job is done. The situation in many countries is gravely serious.
So tonight we celebrate not only the love of a couple and a historic milestone in England & Wales – but I hope that through Sean and Sinclair tonight, and the many other loving couples who will no doubt be following in their footsteps well into the future, that Camden and other parts of the UK will act as a beacon of hope, so that we can all live in a more tolerant and loving world.
To quote John Lennon and Paul McCartney….”Love is all you need.”
The rainbow flag being raised above Camden Town Hall earlier today. Mayor of Camden, Jonathan Simpson, pictured left.
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And here’s the wedding cake!
Cobalt Blue
Now LGBT people have more options than emulate porn, porn stars, strippers, go-go boys, male whores…
SteveDenver
Congratulations England and Wales!
Things are moving along in the U.S., but isn’t it absurd how up-in-arms people are about who can have a marriage license, but they don’t give a damm who has an assault rifle?
simonreg
what an excellent point Steve. However, I am very conscious of not being one of those slightly sniffy Brits about gun law, as we can be as a nation, but I have never experienced being somewhere where I have had to defend the life and my family, so who am I. I have to say, I am proud of our little country today, though as a 54 yr old man, I have certainly seen the bad side of Britain from the past. Patriotism is weird.
simonreg
Oh can’t we still do that as well! Just for fun.
simonreg
(last message to Cobalt… haven’t got the hang of the comments box on queerty)
intotheblue
Congrats to all LGBT couples in the UK!
However, I’m sad looking at the comments on Daily Mail. The top comments are all hateful comments, which always claim freedom of speech blah blah.