First heterosexual couple in Britain enter civil partnership

The first straight couple in the British Isles has entered a civil partnership.

Adeline Cosson and Kieran Hodgson became civil partners in a small ceremony today (October 14) in the Isle of Man.

The pair said they wanted to “keep it simple” rather than have a traditional wedding but said they might get married at a later date.

Civil partnerships became legal throughout the UK in 2004 as an alternative to marriage for same-sex couples.

The Isle of Man, which is a Crown Dependency of the UK, legalised civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples this summer. The rest of Britain has yet to do so.

Talking about their civil partnership, 24-year-old Adeline said they’re proud to be the first straight couple to take advantage of the new rules.

“It helps couples more forward without having to get married right now,” she said.

“To create full equality on the Isle of Man, they have allowed gay couples to get married but also to start civil partnerships.”

She added she was surprised the rest of the UK hadn’t yet opened up the franchise to straight couples as it was normally progressive.

“In France, everybody can get a civil partnership. A lot of people don’t want to get married. ‘Marriage’ is a big word,” she added.

A couple from London are currently involved in legal action against the UK Government, arguing that to deny them a civil partnership breaches their human rights.

Jane Salter, the registrar who conducted the ceremony, said: “They are the first opposite-sex partners who have chosen a civil partnership.

“They were very happy and relaxed. It was just them and two witnesses.

“It’s the same sort of ceremony as a wedding but we use different wording.

“We don’t refer to the ‘bride’ and ‘groom’. They can exchange rings, but this couple didn’t.

“They are now civil partners for life.”

• Nov 29 2023

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