It's kinda funny how life works out.
I would never, ever have thought that I would be getting married at any point in my life, let alone later this year.
It just was never an option.
I came out as gay in the mid 80's,when 'AIDS' was the watchword and the age of consent was 21.
Not that I paid any attention to the age of consent, I was a busy lad from the age of 17.
It was a time of teachers strike's, Clause 28, Bronski Beat, Eastenders and the Smith's.
Back then marriage was reserved only for people who slept with the opposite sex.
Gay people were expected to live lonely, unfilfilled life substituting promiscuous sex for a warm loving relationship.
Even when the possibility of Civil Partnerships became real, I never thought it would ever happen to me.
Civil Partnership.
I like the sound of that.
Let the Heterosexual's have the term 'marriage' and let us claim the term Civil Partnership.
It just sounds a lot more......civil.
But the world turns and brings with it many changes and now it is an option.
And on September 13th 2008 we will be taking our vows.
It will not be a grand, frilly affair with matching suits, but rather an intimate occasion informal and fun.
A simple ceremony at the local registry office, then a party at our favourite 'gastropub' - The Gun.
The most important thing is that it is the best day of our lives and we share it with those we love.
15/02/08 @ 10:02