Published: Tuesday 31 December 2019
The first opposite sex civil partnership took place today at Chelsea Old Town Hall between Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, the couple who campaigned for five years for the change in law to allow it.
31th December 2019 was the the first day when the civil partnerships could legally take place, making them among the first for heterosexual couples in the country to be civil partnered, offering a legal alternative to marriage for the first time.
Steven Lord, Head of Registration Services at RBKC, comments:
"This is an important step for Rebecca and Charles and I wish them a huge congratulations on being successful in their legal challenge. It's been a real honour and privilege to welcome them to the Chelsea Old Town Hall for their civil partnership registration.
“It’s fitting that our first opposite sex civil partnership is for the couple who fought for this right, and it was a small but special occassion.”
Charles Keidan and Rebecca Steinfeld comment:
“We are absolutely delighted to be just one of hundreds of opposite sex couples nationwide who are forming a civil partnership. For us, this new institution, focused on equality and mutual respect, is a modern alternative to marriage. For as little as £46, civil partnerships provide legal status and financial protections for some of the three million cohabiting couples who don’t want to marry but do wish to formalise their relationship.
“For civil partnerships, there is no social script, and no expectation of fanfare, so couples can do whatever feels right for them. We very much hope that the institution of civil partnership will grow and grow.”
So far eight opposite sex couples have declared their intent to form a civil partnership at Chelsea Old Town Hall with more expected to take place in the coming months.