The Decline of Britannia Continues

AFP: England, Wales see 3,648 'gay marriages' in first six weeks of new law---

LONDON (AFP) - A total of 3,648 gay and lesbian couples in England and Wales entered legal unions in the first six weeks under a new law granting them marriage-like rights, government figures showed.

Some 2,510 male couples and 1,138 female couples forged ties under the Civil Partnership Act from December 21, the first day ceremonies occurred, until January 31, the date of the most recent figures, the Office for National Statistics said.

The law came into effect on December 5, allowing gay and lesbian couples in Britain to begin registering their plans to tie the knot.

On December 21, when ceremonies were allowed to take place in England and Wales, the office said some 700 partnerships were sealed, including that of pop singer Elton John and his Canadian partner David Furnish.