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PlanetOut News Staff
Wednesday, February 14, 2001 / 02:03 AM
In a British TV first, ITV's This Morning provided the "chapel" -- and the honeymoon tickets -- for a couple who would be altogether traditional, if they weren't both men.
One of Britain's most popular morning television shows featured a gay couple's wedding for Valentine's Day, believed to be the first gay or lesbian wedding to be televised live there. At least one gay couple's wedding has been broadcast live on national TV in the U.S. -- on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect.
ITV's This Morning, also known as the Richard and Judy Show for its hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, presented the non-legal nuptials of Mark Jinks and Neil Morris of Manchester. A spokesperson for the show told reporters that, "A lot of gay men have contacted This Morning about the possibility of performing a blessing on the program and we thought that Valentine's Day would be the perfect opportunity. They're a very sincere and genuine couple and have the full backing and support of their parents," who were present for the ceremony.
Shouting From the Rooftops
They're also a rather "traditional" couple -- Morris had actually gotten down on one knee to formally propose marriage to Jinks. The men consider their relationship a total commitment for life, and Morris said, "By doing it this way we are shouting it from the rooftops."
The grooms both wore morning suits. Jinks was given away by his father. Vows were exchanged to Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. The ceremony was performed in full priestly dress by Bishop Jonathan Blake of the Society for Independent Christian Ministry, who later remarked that, "In the eyes of the couple and the community this is a legal wedding -- in time, society will catch up." After the ritual, the couple kissed. There was a traditional wedding cake topped by two male figures, partaken of by all. The couple left for a Florida honeymoon with tickets provided by the show as a wedding present.
Source : Obtained from
planetout.com
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