For the past year, gays and lesbians have been flocking to the altar in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. According to newly released government figures, a total of 14,084 partnerships took place in England, a further 537 in Wales, 942 in Scotland and 109 in Northern Ireland. The first day that most couples could form a civil partnership was Dec. 19, 2005, in Northern Ireland, Dec. 20, 2005, in Scotland and Dec. 21, 2005, in England and Wales.
In fact, more than 30,000 people have walked down the aisleófar outstripping original government estimates of only 22,000 being in civil partnerships by 2010.
The rise of civil partnerships in the U.K. has led to the introduction of new, specialized businesses that cater to what is believed to be a multi-million pound gay weddings industry.
One such company is pogoplum, a lesbian-run business that provides a one-stop shop for lesbians and gay men wanting to navigate their way into civil partnerships.
According to Christina Harrison-Flynn, managing director of pogoplum, the U.K. is set to see many thousands more lesbian and gay couples entering into wedded bliss as civil partnership laws enter into their second year.
"Official estimates initially suggested the numbers of gay weddings would be far lower," Harrison-Flynn said in a release. "What we are seeing is that every single day in the U.K., an average of 57 couples register their civil partnerships. That is a huge new lesbian and gay weddings segment that just didn't exist a year ago."
Research by gay marketing specialist Out Now Consulting suggests the U.K. needs to get used to same sex marriage rites. According to the ì2005 Out Now Diva and Gay Times Readers Survey,î up to 274,000 couples in the U.K. say they intend to take the plunge and get hitched over coming years.
"We think the past year is just the start of it," Harrison-Flynn said. "With many lesbians and gay men across the U.K. about to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, many thousands more are sizing up taking the plunge and getting hitched. It really is great that the U.K. has taken a step like this to give gay and lesbian people this right, which most others in our society just take for granted. It is excellent to see so many people in love benefiting from the change in the U.K. laws. We think that's just wonderful."
The U.K. is home to an estimated 3 million gays lesbians, who last year earned more than £70 billion annual income (according to the ì2005 Out Now Diva and Gay Times Readers Surveyî).
