A gay priest is to marry her long-term partner in Britian's first same-sex wedding this December.
Rev Debbie Gaston, 46, and Elaine Cook, 53, will join two other gay couples in a ceremony at Brighton's town hall.
It will take place at one second past midnight on December 21, the first day when gay weddings are legal.
The Civil Partnerships Bill comes into force on December 5 but, as with civil marriages, there is a 15-day period before couples can tie the knot.
Ms Gaston, of the Metropolitan Community Church, is delighted to be tying the knot with her partner of 16 years, who has two adult children from a previous heterosexual marriage.
She says that they both see this bill as a "huge step" in terms of equality, but there is still some way to go.
"Until I can have a legal ceremony in the eyes of God I will not feel completely fulfilled," she said.
The other couples, who will marry at the same time are Gino Meriano and his partner Mike Ullett, who run a wedding planner agency.
The others are Roger Lewis, who works for Sussex Police, and his partner Keith Willmott-Goodall.
All participants come from Brighton, where the council has been a supporter of civil partnerships since they were first mooted.
It's a great example to many people who quarry over religion and homosexuality being deemed wrong in the 'eyes of god'. I for one think these people are full of crap, but i guess everyones entitled to their opinion. Is it just me, or does anybody else think a lot of group turn to religion to prevent something happening they are scared of? coincidence? mmm. (Before anyone says anything, i know the religious debate is a lot deeper and more indepth, but i thought a little light hearted sarcasm would be a refreshing take!) :)
G x
