Nick Clegg congratulates couple married in first consular same-sex wedding
The first ever consular same-sex marriage took place in Sydney, Australia today, and the happy couple were congratulated by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Peter Fraser and Gordon Stevenson married at the British Consulate in Sydney today.
They met by chance in a pub in 1995.
While same-sex marriages have been taking place in England and Wales since 29 March 2014, theirs was the first to take place on a British Consulate.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg congratulated the couple, saying: “Many congratulations to Peter and Gordon on your big day. Getting married is a personal landmark but you have the added sense of pride that you can say today, and forever more, that you were the first gay couple to marry in a British Consulate.
“As Pride celebrations in London reach their peak, you will be swapping vows in Sydney. So this weekend we have even more reasons to celebrate. As Deputy Prime Minister, being able to say that love is finally equal, no matter who you love, fills me with immense pride. It sends a strong message around the world to those who are still fighting for greater equality. It tells them they are not alone and that we will always stand with them.”
The couple said: “[Getting married] means more than words can say. We’re finally able to get married. It’s recognised by the British Government. […] It means the same to us as it does to everybody else. You’re able to marry the person that you love.”
Consul General Nick McInnes added: “I am pleased to have been involved in the wedding of Peter and Gordon 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. I wish Peter and Gordon a very happy life together.”
