The Marriage (Same Sex) Couples Act 2013 was implemented on 13th March and Caerphilly County Borough Council has conducted its first same sex marriage.
The ceremony took place at Penallta House on Saturday 29th March, which was the first day marriages could take place. There were only two other same sex marriages held on this day in Wales, with additional ceremonies also taking place over the border in England.
This was an historic day for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, their families and their friends as now every couple has the opportunity to marry, should they wish to do so. Until now, there were different procedures in place for opposite sex and same sex couples.
The happy couple were Lisa and Clair from Ystrad Mynach. Newlywed Lisa, said: “It has been lovely, a very momentous day, and I’m glad that we were the first couple in the county borough to get married.
“Now we’re going to be treated equally – a civil partnership is not as equal as it should be and that is why we have both been waiting for today.”
Cllr James Pritchard, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Equalities Champion, said: “We were delighted that the happy couple chose to hold their special ceremony at Penallta House. This really was an historic day for equalities here in the county borough and across England and Wales. We wish the newlyweds a long and happy future together.”
Following this initial ceremony, there are already a further five same sex marriages booked in for the coming year, with the next wedding in June.
To find out more about getting married in Caerphilly borough please visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk
