Elton John and David Furnish
LONDON — Elton John and David Furnish say they plan to exchange vows for a second time to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom.
Same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales on Saturday, and although the couple were among the first in the UK to enter into a civil partnership when that law came into effect in 2005, they say they plan to use their high-profile statue to celebrate the landmark ruling.
“Elton and I will marry – as a high-profile couple, we feel it is our duty to do it, to make sure that everyone knows that this is something that many gay men living in this country never dreamed would happen,” Furnish told Attitude magazine.
After being criticized in 2008 for saying that civil partnerships, as opposed to same-sex marriage, was sufficient, John later became a staunch supporter of legalizing same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom, saying in 2012: “There is a world of difference between calling someone your ‘partner’ and calling them your ‘husband.'”
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Britain is the 16th country to legalize same-sex marriage. The British Parliament legalized same-sex marriage in England and Wales in July, with the backing of the leaders of the three main political parties.
The law enables gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales, provided that the religious institution consents. The Church of England, the country’s official faith, is barred from performing such ceremonies.
