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| Gay 'weddings' top 15,500 in UK | Gay 'weddings' top 15,500 in UK |
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| More than 15,500 gay and lesbian couples united in civil partnerships in the first nine months after new laws were brought in the UK. | More than 15,500 gay and lesbian couples united in civil partnerships in the first nine months after new laws were brought in the UK. |
| here were 15,672 partnerships between December 2005 and September 2006, the Office for National Statistics said. | |
| There were 14,084 partnerships in England, 537 in Wales, 942 in Scotland and 109 in Northern Ireland. | There were 14,084 partnerships in England, 537 in Wales, 942 in Scotland and 109 in Northern Ireland. |
| Almost 2,000 partnerships took place last December when the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force. | Almost 2,000 partnerships took place last December when the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force. |
| The act gives same-sex couples rights in areas such as employment and pensions, but the partnerships are not officially regarded as marriages. | The act gives same-sex couples rights in areas such as employment and pensions, but the partnerships are not officially regarded as marriages. |
| On average, 1,621 partnerships took place each month between January and March and this fell to 1,498 between July and September, said the ONS. | |
| London popular | London popular |
| England staged 84% of all ceremonies while Northern Ireland held just 1%. London hosted 25% of partnerships in the nine months after December 2005. | England staged 84% of all ceremonies while Northern Ireland held just 1%. London hosted 25% of partnerships in the nine months after December 2005. |
| More men have so far chosen civil partnerships, making up 62% of partnerships in England, 57% in Scotland, 56% in Northern Ireland and 51% in Wales. | More men have so far chosen civil partnerships, making up 62% of partnerships in England, 57% in Scotland, 56% in Northern Ireland and 51% in Wales. |
| However, the ONS said the ratio between men and women appeared to be changing. | However, the ONS said the ratio between men and women appeared to be changing. |
| "The gap between the proportion of male and female partnerships in England and Scotland appears to be reducing over time," the ONS said. | "The gap between the proportion of male and female partnerships in England and Scotland appears to be reducing over time," the ONS said. |
| In London, there were around three times as many male partnerships as female partnerships. | In London, there were around three times as many male partnerships as female partnerships. |
| Meanwhile, Peter Tatchell, of campaign group OutRage, has called on Chancellor Gordon Brown to protect the benefit rights of gays and lesbians in his pre-Budget report on Wednesday. | Meanwhile, Peter Tatchell, of campaign group OutRage, has called on Chancellor Gordon Brown to protect the benefit rights of gays and lesbians in his pre-Budget report on Wednesday. |
| He claims rule changes introduced when the Partnership Act became law has resulted in the removal of social security benefits from thousands of same-sex partners who have not taken out a civil partnership, including those who plan not to. | He claims rule changes introduced when the Partnership Act became law has resulted in the removal of social security benefits from thousands of same-sex partners who have not taken out a civil partnership, including those who plan not to. |
| Mr Tatchell wants benefit claimants in cohabiting same-sex relationships to be given transitional financial protection. | Mr Tatchell wants benefit claimants in cohabiting same-sex relationships to be given transitional financial protection. |