9AM: A cutting of a civil union cake, celebrating the passing into law next week of the Relationships Bill, looks set to be an emotional event at today's Gay and Lesbian Fair at Newton School in Wellington today. Official proceedings at the annual fair are due to start in the next half-hour, with speeches from MPs Tim Barnett, Marian Hobbs, and the Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast. Cameron Law of the Campaign for Civil Unions says the cutting of the cake marks the end of a long and often intense struggle. “The passing of this Bill marks the culmination of years of work by many dedicated volunteers and ensures equal rights for same sex couples to officially register and celebrate their relationships," he says. The cutting of the cake is to take place at noon, with iconic couple Des Smith and John Joliffe doing the honours. They say it will be a celebration of their engagement and pending civil union on May 1st, although the couple have already been together unrecognised by the law for nearly twenty years. Information will be available at the Fair explaining how the new legislation with affect couples, and how they can go about obtaining a civil union.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 12th March 2005 - 12:00pm