Congratulations, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan

The Mr and Mrs labels apply to CPs if the couple want them to hulo and decade, which is identical to the situation for married and for cohabiting couples.

Het not get

There have been a lot of threads on MN saying what's the point, it's stupid blah blah

People seem really genuinely pissed off that get people can do this now and I don't understand why. It seems totally innocuous and doesn't impact on them in any way.

I've read loads of posts and I can't get to grips with what the hostility is about underneath the oh it's a marriage by another name stuff. Emotionally people seem to have reacted strongly against this. Why? Anyone got any ideas?

So, apart from the adultery thing, you get to not do the "I call upon blah blah blah" bit that always seemed embarrassingly pointless. I think I would have gone for civil partnership if it had been around because I thought it was enough to just sign.

(I am intrigued that a same sex marriage can be annulled "If the respondent was pregnant at the time of the marriage by some person other than the petitioner")

Yes. Civil partnership is definitely the option for me, now. I'm pleased to see mixed-sex couples finally being able to opt out of marriage if they desire.

Marriage is great (I love a good wedding and must confess on a few times have shed a tear) but I have never wanted to be a wife and I don't want a husband. I don't suppose the Mr and Mrs labels apply which would be another bonus. I also like that both parents names are on the certificate, at the moment with marriage it's only the father's which says it all really.

Congratulations to Rebecca and Charles and all others getting a civil partnership, an option we would have chosen if we hadn't already got married.

Decade, there is a gov page that details the differences - I'll try and find it ....

England/Wales here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-and-civil-partnership-in-england-and-wales

Scotland here: www2.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/law/17867/18313/faq-general#a4

This is great news. Well done to the couple, and thank you! Mebbe I'll do a bit of proposing tonight.

So how does this differ (apart from in name) with getting married at a registry office with no religious element? Is it a case of similar ceremonial/procedure but just a different piece of paper and not being able to call yourselves husband and wife? Do the ‘Mr and Mrs’ labels not apply? I’ve been with my partner for over 20 years with 2 children so am looking to do something. Also am in Scotland so are things different up here?

Oh lovely! They have been fighting for this for years. I am so happy for them and grateful to them for taking this all the way. Marriage comes with a lot of baggage for lots of us (especially women) and now everyone has the option of a civil partnership if they want one. Lovely news for the new year.

The Powers-That-Be did not want this. They hoped that equal marriage would be followed by a winding up of civil partnerships.

Instead, we can now confidently look forward to the end of civil marriage. "Holy" matrimony will become a purely personal thing not recognised by the law of the land in any way.

Yeeaaay!

I could never see why a civil partnership was looked down upon by some in the first place.