I do! First-ever British gay marriage outside the UK takes place in Sydney

I do! First-ever British gay marriage outside the UK takes place in Sydney

SYDNEYSIDERS Gordon Stevenson and Peter Fraser made history this afternoon becoming the first same-sex couple, anywhere in the world, to wed at a UK consulate.

But the occasion didn’t faze the couple who said they were mainly pleased that their engagement – which started 19 years ago on Melbourne’s Chapel Street – was finally declared over.

The couple, who are dual Australian-British citizens, were dressed in matching kilts and sporrans in honour of their Scottish heritage for their ceremony at the UK consulate general overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Stevenson said he felt proud to be the first of what he thought would be many couples choosing to marry in Britain’s consuls, high commissions and embassies worldwide.

However, he said gay people in Australia had waited “long enough” for marriage equality.

“I would ask Mr Abbott to reflect back to the day he and his wife were married and the joy they experienced and ask would he not want that for everyone?” he said.

In March, the Federal Government confirmed it would not block UK consulates from performing same-sex marriage ceremonies in Australia following their legalisation in Britain.

The British Consul General in Sydney, Nick McInnes, said he wished Gordon and Peter a happy life together: “I am pleased to have been involved in the wedding of Gordon and Peter today – the first British same sex marriage outside the UK.

“We’ve already held around 500 civil partnerships in our offices around Australia, but this ceremony felt particularly special.”

Gordon Stevenson and Peter Fraser made history this afternoon becoming the first same-sex couple to wed at a UK consulate. (Photo: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)
Gordon Stevenson and Peter Fraser made history this afternoon becoming the first same-sex couple to wed at a UK consulate. (Photo: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said it was time for Australia to join the UK in changing the law.

“Today is very special but it’s tinged with sadness because the second [Peter and Gordon] stepped outside the British consulate their sincere vows of commitment were no longer recognised,” he said.

“If same sex couples can marry in this building why can’t everyone marry in this great land?”

Croome urged the government to allow a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

Sydney federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek told the Star Observer that she wished all Australian same sex couples had the same opportunity.

“My heartfelt congratulations go to Gordon and Peter,” she said.

“Marriage equality’s time has well and truly come.  I will continue to drive the case for change in the Parliament – all love should be equal.”

Meanwhile, Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich said: “Loving LGBTI couples continue to get married overseas or in overseas consulates in Australia and it’s time our government gave the LGBTI community the dignity to marry on Aussie soil.”

Greenwich added he was preparing legislation to recognise overseas same sex marriages in NSW law “but what we need is the federal marriage act amended to be about love not discrimination”.

One same-sex couple in attendance announced they too would soon be marrying at the UK consulate.

Shirleene Robinson and Sarah Midgley (pictured below) said they planned to take their vows in September with friends travelling from the UK for the occasion.

Robinson said many heterosexual couples she knows have decided to not marry in Australia as a protest against the inability of their gay friends and family from being able to do the same.

Shirleene Robinson and Sarah Midgley (Photo: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)
Shirleene Robinson and Sarah Midgley (Photo: Benedict Brook; Star Observer)

 

 

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3 responses to “I do! First-ever British gay marriage outside the UK takes place in Sydney”

  1. Come on wake up Australian lawmakers – time to pass the gay marriage bill in 2014!

    But then again the Catholic right-wing nutcase Torys (aka Tony Abbott and “incest and beastaility on the brain” Cory Berardi) will just not allow it and BLOCK IT ALL THE WAY, and leave the bill in a dusty draw and hopefully people will forget about the issue – and on top of that other western nations of Canada, US, New Zealand and the UK* – even gay marriages in church are currently being debated, while here in backward Australia, we are still debating civil marriages between same sex couples. Come on let’s move forward (sorry that was a Julia Gillard reference). I have a better one, lets FORCE the gay civil marriage bill to pass the House and Senate at 110km/h please and join the rest of the western world!

    * Excludes Northern Ireland

    My prediction is that Australia will have marriage equality in 2023 and the United States in all 50 states will have it (by order of the SCOTUS) in 2024!!!!!

  2. It is not a matter of if you can marry, but where. Congrats boys!

    So hears to you, the history makers. On this, the first day of marriage equality here in Oz, the first day couples do not have to travel far to say I do, I share in your happiness.

    Our nation has travelled from police bashing and killing us, or hater politicians having us imprisoned in the name of their hater God, to simply being able to marry, as any couple can. No longer are we rapped on mass by police, for having a good time at gay nightclub, or arrested for wearing a belt outside the a Greater Union cinema in Melbourne. The crazy homophobia is just the nostalgia longed for by an ugly hater Catholic Prime Minister who feels threatened- the Vatican Nanny State nutjob, Tony Abbott.

    This is the day our future was brought forward, and although we still have battles to fight, and much hard work to be done, so we can simply walk down any street of life and be treated the same as the next person, it is worth reflecting on this victory of Civil Rights.

    Our choice to marry, will always be ours. Our location, is now a little easier to manage .

  3. It is not a matter of if you can marry, but where. Congrats boys!

    So hears to you, the history makers. On this, the first day of marriage equality here in Oz, the first day couples do not have to travel far to say I do, I share in your happiness.

    Our nation has travelled from police bashing and killing us, or hater politicians having us imprisoned in the name of their hater God, to simply being able to marry, as any couple can. No longer are we rapped on mass by police, for having a good time at gay nightclub, or arrested for wearing a belt outside the a Greater Union cinema in Melbourne. The crazy homophobia is just the nostalgia longed for by an ugly hater Catholic Prime Minister who feels threatened- the Vatican Nanny State nutjob, Tony Abbott.

    This is the day our future was brought forward, and although we still have battles to fight, and much hard work to be done, so we can simply walk down any street of life and be treated the same as the next person, it is worth reflecting on this victory of Civil Rights.

    Our choice to marry, will always be ours. Our location, is now a little easier to manage.