With the new laws allowing same-sex civil unions coming into effect in the UK, I'm wondering about a few details. For instance, will there be equal press coverage of the first gay divorces?

But my major nagging worry is about Elton John - or, more specifically, his new husband. What with Elton being Sir Elton, does that make David a Dame? Or another 'Sir' perhaps?

Of course I'm mostly going for the giggles with this, but I am also genuinely interested.

What gets me about this is the way that the church made it perfectly clear for months beforehand that this would NOT be a marriage, but a civil partnership. And then, on the day of the first civil partnerships, members of the church were gathering outside the service buildings protesting and throing rocks, claiming that it was "a vile day", and that there 'marriages' were "an atrocity to God".

No-one tell the church that it actually has sod all to do with them.

Of course Elton John and David Furnish are only the third couple to get partnered after the Irish lesbians and the gay couple from Yorkshire...

The first gay couple in the US to receive a civil union license recently made headlines last week....

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/NEWS/512150385/1003

Ing, the question about title is a very good one. I had never thought of that particular ramification. What does one call the husband of a female knight? I guess I would assume that the same would be the appropriate title.

I ain't going near this one !

You got me curious so I ckecked and it was as I thought, the husband of a female peer,ie Dzame, dosn't get a title.

Check it out

Well, even though it would be good for a giggle, "Dame" or "Lady" jsut won't do. Probably 'Sir", or there really is nothing wrong with "Mister".

How about the universally non-offensive "Ms." for a title?
Which one was the bride anyway. Elton looked more the part, his tux had a white cumberbun and tie as opposed to his mate's more traditional groom's tux. Can you imagine the poor bloke or sheila that caught Sir/Dame Elton's garter?

I don't really have a hard core stand on this matter, for one very good reason; that being that people will always do what they want to do, whether I 'approve' of it or not!

Some of the finest, closest friends I have ever had are gay. Within the community we lived in for so long, I saw examples of disgusting promiscuity, intense loneliness and also monogomous, loyal relationships which still continue to this day.

I personally don't feel these unions ought to be called marriages, but that some kind of legal allowance ought to be made in the case of long term partners.

I love the friends I have made [some over thirty years ago] who practice this particular lifestyle, but don't personally agree with it.That isn't any of my business, however. They are aware of my belief system and I am aware of theirs, too, though I don't fully understand it. I will always be a concerned friend to those who have been so genuine, funny and helpful to me over the years.

Let God sort it all out later.

Well, I have a cousin who is in a gay "marriage" (not your nip-and-tuck marriage, of course, but publicly accepted as a couple). Yikes...they're Wiccans, too! This raised quite the double 'stink', believe me. Eyebrows arched aplenty, religious artifacts hidden, stumbled upon greetings (and generally loaded conversation that even a bomb squad wouldn't come near). Those few of us who didn't give a sniff about the 'scandalous sinner' label(s) attached just called them Matthew and Kevin. And they answered. And they were polite. And they were excellent company. Go figure.

Interesting reading Sue - though rather confusing! - thanks.

But then again I'm confused enough about what my own 'title' should be. That is, I am married, but I have not taken my husband's name, so obviously I'm not Mrs [husband's name]. BUT am I Mrs [my surname]? Probably not I figure, but I'm not 100% sure.

I've been a 'Ms' for a long while, and that's what I figure I'll stay, but I do get a giggle at seeing how some people struggle over how to address my mail now!

Quote:

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What does one call the husband of a female knight?

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A knut?

"You silly English kenigits!" (Monty Pythin and the Quest for the Holy Grail)