First same-sex wedding takes place on Isle of Man
The first same-sex wedding has taken place on the Isle of Man on Saturday.
As a crown dependency, the Isle of Man maintains autonomy from the UK on issues including marriage.
It was the last part of the Isles to legalise homosexuality in 1992 – but a vote today confirmed it won’t be the last to introduce same-sex marriage.
A law allowing same-sex marriage in the Isle of Man was passed by Tynewald (the Manx Parliament) in April this year, and was granted Royal Assent last month.
Following the move forward, the first official same-sex wedding has now taken place, as Luke Carine and Zac Tomlinson tied the knot.
They follow Marc and Alan Steffan-Cowell, who were already in a civil partnership but were able to convert to a marriage without a ceremony.
Mr Carine and Mr Tomlinsn have been together for six years. Both grew up on the Isle.
Though they now live together in Manchester, the pair say they were thrilled to be able to return home to tie the knot in front of their friends and family.
Mr Carine toldIsle of Man Today: “We came home to get married surrounded by family and friends.
“It feels amazing to be the first couple to have a ceremony.”
The Isle of Man’s population is just 85,000.
The introduction of equal marriage there now means that Northern Ireland is the only place in the Isles where same-sex couples cannot get married.
Progress continues to be blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party.
