Civil partnerships: First mixed-sex unions taking place today

‘Were we thinking of the history?’ ask one couple. ‘Not exactly, we were just concentrating on our vows and making sure we were stood in the right place’

It may have been national history in the making but, for Bryan Radley and Deborah Russell, Tuesday’s ceremony was a simple act of publicly announcing their love for each other.

At a registry office in York, in front of a handful of friends and family, the pair became one of the first heterosexual couples in England and Wales to enter into a civil partnership.

Hundreds of such unions were taking place across the country on New Year’s Eve after a change in the law opened up such partnerships to mixed-sex couples.

“It was lovely,” Mr Radley told The Independent. “Were we thinking of the history? Not exactly. I think we were both just concentrating on our vows and making sure we were stood in the right place.”

The partnerships – which have been legal for same-sex couples since 2005 – offer almost identical rights to marriage, including inheritance and tax benefits.

But they come without the religious and – Mr Radley and Ms Russell – the historically unequal overtones.

“We’ve never been comfortable with the idea of marriage and its patriarchal connotations, so to be able to make this public commitment on our own terms was lovely,” said Mr Radley, a 43-year-old lecturer at the University of York. “It’s something we’ve wanted for a long time. It’s been wonderful.”

For the couple, the day had particular resonance: 31 December also happens to be their anniversary of first becoming an item 16 years ago.

“That really made it special,” said Ms Russell, 38, also a lecturer at the university. “It was timed perfectly.”

Deborah Russell and Bryan Radley

The shift in the law comes after another couple, Charles Keidan, 52 and Rebecca Steinfeld, 38, won a four-year legal battle at the Supreme Court for the right to have a civil partnership instead of a marriage.

They were also among those celebrating on New Year’s Eve when they too officially became civil partners.

Speaking on the steps outside Kensington and Chelsea Register Office in London, Ms Steinfeld said: “Today is a unique, special and personal moment for us, a moment that we’ve been able to affirm our love and commitment to one another in the company of our beautiful children, Eden and Ariel, and close friends.”

Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, with their children Ariel and Eden, outside Kensington and Chelsea Register Office (PA)

She added that they had fought the law because, while they did not believe in marriage, they felt that, by being denied its benefits, they were essentially being discriminated against.

The government now estimates some 84,000 couples will take advantage and become civil partners in 2020.

Among those also celebrating in York, meanwhile, were Adam Clayton, 51, and Lara McClure, 46, who were also joined at the city’s registry office.

The pair – who have three children and have been together for 26 years – decided to undertake the union to access the same rights as married couples.

Ms McClure said before the service: “It is about choice. I don’t want to be responsible for a big family celebration. Weddings are also a big expense. I am not anti-marriage but it is something I would dread rather than look forward to.

Speaking to the York Press, she added: “The legal recognition is for our kids’ benefit as well.”