First lesbian civil partnership Worcester 21 Dec 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