Labour minister Chris Bryant – Member of the Parliament for The Rhondda – got hitched yesterday in Parliament’s first gay wedding according to newsoftheworld. Rhondda is an area in Wales that Chris Bryant represents!
The Europe minister had a civil partnership ceremony with company secretary Jared Cranney in the MPs’ dining room.
Cardiff-born Bryant, who famously posed in just his Y-fronts on a gay website, opted for a more traditional outfit for the day.
Both grooms wore matching suits with New Labour purple ties.
The ceremony was attended by Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Commons Speaker John Bercow.
Bryant, who met Mr Cranney on the local election campaign trail last April, said: “We never thought this day would come – and never thought we’d have to worry about cakes and flowers and rings.
“It’s amazing how much things have changed in such a short time. Only a few years ago there was a different gay age of consent.
“You could sack people or refuse to serve them just because of their sexuality and gays were banned from the military, from adopting or getting married.”
Bryant, who lives in Porth in the Rhondda Fach, said: “Parliament is special because it has made it possible. We are delighted that everyone in the UK can now share in a privilege that used to be available just to straight MPs.”
Weddings have long been held in the Parliament chapel. But as a religious venue it can’t be used for civil partnerships. Gordon Brown suggested allowing civil partnerships in Parliament last year.
And Mr Bercow took up the idea getting the necessary licence from Westminster City Council to hold the services within the parliamentary estate.
Members of the public will also be able to marry there, with slots to be allocated via a ballot.
Civil partnerships were introduced in the UK under in 2004, giving gay couples the same recognition as married couples in terms of legal protection and inheritance rights.
About 35,000 people have since registered their partnerships.
