| Gay Benidorm Costa Blanca - Gay Marriage and weddings in Spain |
Gay Weddings
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| Latest News Spain recognises UK civil partnerships December 13th 2007 |
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GAY MARRIAGE IN SPAIN - YOUR WEDDING MADE POSSIBLE
Civil marriages can be arranged in Spain for people over 18. While
Spanish law appears to permit foreigners to marry in Spain, in practice
it will often be necessary for one or both parties to be legally
registered. However, the by-laws and regulations with reference to
procedures and documentation required differ from town to town and
are being changed regularly. Some towns will only allow civil weddings
on certain days of the week in their Registry Office, whereas others
are more flexible and will allow the ceremony 7 days a week in private
premises such as Hotels, Restaurants and Villas.
Religious gay marriages in Catholic churches are not allowed, but a
religious blessing is available on the Costa Blanca from more
progressive Ministers or Lay Preachers (not Priests) Other areas of
Spain vary on their approach on the matter. This is still an exception
and is not yet widespread. Many gay Spaniards seem to be opting for
a humanist non-religious blessing following the official marriage
ceremony. UPDATE We have been informed by Rev Paul Gibson that
weddings are offered by him at the St Sebastians Inclusive Church in
Gran Canaria for those looking for a more faith based ceremony.
An application for marriage in Spain can involve lengthy and time
consuming paperwork, you should therefore allow enough time before
the intended date of marriage for the application to be processed. It
can take many months in reality and as a general rule six months is
required to complete the application.
It is recommended that you enlist the help of a gay wedding
specialist who will have knowledge of all the requirements in your
chosen town. It is essential also that you have a good English Lawyer
in Spain who understands your needs. Some couples opt for a civil
partnership ceremony in their own country or in Gibraltar and follow
with a blessing ceremony in Spain. Although it is legal to marry same
sex couples some town mayors are still refusing to do this on their own
moral grounds which is in fact breaking the law of the land for which
they can be prosecuted. So far apart from one case no other mayor
has been prosecuted yet.
Benidorm is adhering to the new legislation and is therefore an ideal
venue for your marriage in Spain. As this is such new legislation time
will change the current hit and miss situation with regards who will and
who refuses to take gay marriage ceremonies. For a good source of
information see wikipedia
For a Gran Canaria wedding planner see www.celebrationsgc.co.uk
For a Costa Del Sol gay wedding planner covering areas from
Malaga to Gibraltar you might like to contact
www.gayweddingsnerja.com
The new law has not yet been fully tested in Spain. It appears that
different areas are adopting the law more slowly than others it is
therefore best to ensure that it is possible to get married in your
chosen town at this time.
You are now covered under EU and EEA (European Economic Area)
common law which means that a gay marriage in Spain should be
legally recognised in those countries who allow same sex unions.
However a gay marriage is not recognised as a marriage as such in
the UK but is recognised as a civil partnership. Only Canada Spain
and Belgium recognise gay marriage as marriage. You should check
with your country of residence before committing to a marriage in
Spain to ensure it will be legally recognised within their partnership
laws. Spain does now recognise UK civil partnerships in Spain but the
law is still being tested and is sure to be contested for a while yet. See
press release for full details from
Here is a list of some of the countries who legally recognise
same sex partnerships at this time.
Belgium - statutory cohabitation
Belgium - marriage
Canada - marriage
Denmark - registered partnership
Finland - registered partnership
France - civil solidarity pact
Germany - life partnership
Iceland - confirmed cohabitation
Netherlands - registered partnership
Norway - registered partnership
Spain - marriage
Sweden - registered partnership
United kingdom - Civil Partnership
United States of America - Vermont / Massachusetts - civil union
For assistance in planning your gay wedding in Spain you should
look no further than Javea Organisers who operate a very gay friendly
wedding service on the Costa Blanca. You will also be assured a
problem free marriage as these folks really do know what they are
doing. For a luxury Rolls Royce for your special day you should
contact Alicante wedding cars who offer a fine service and a dedicated
team from this small local Costa Blanca business.
They can help you with the following;
Reception and Ceremony Venue finding
Partnership Registration information
Ceremony creation and advice
Inflatable church Yes a church seating up to 60
Photographers - Flowers - Cakes - Invitations
Table decorations and seating plans
Fireworks
Gift List
Hotel accommodation & function rooms
Entertainment
Transport
Civil marriages can be arranged in Spain for people over 18. While
Spanish law appears to permit foreigners to marry in Spain, in practice
it will often be necessary for one or both parties to be legally
registered. However, the by-laws and regulations with reference to
procedures and documentation required differ from town to town and
are being changed regularly. Some towns will only allow civil weddings
on certain days of the week in their Registry Office, whereas others
are more flexible and will allow the ceremony 7 days a week in private
premises such as Hotels, Restaurants and Villas.
Religious gay marriages in Catholic churches are not allowed, but a
religious blessing is available on the Costa Blanca from more
progressive Ministers or Lay Preachers (not Priests) Other areas of
Spain vary on their approach on the matter. This is still an exception
and is not yet widespread. Many gay Spaniards seem to be opting for
a humanist non-religious blessing following the official marriage
ceremony. UPDATE We have been informed by Rev Paul Gibson that
weddings are offered by him at the St Sebastians Inclusive Church in
Gran Canaria for those looking for a more faith based ceremony.
An application for marriage in Spain can involve lengthy and time
consuming paperwork, you should therefore allow enough time before
the intended date of marriage for the application to be processed. It
can take many months in reality and as a general rule six months is
required to complete the application.
It is recommended that you enlist the help of a gay wedding
specialist who will have knowledge of all the requirements in your
chosen town. It is essential also that you have a good English Lawyer
in Spain who understands your needs. Some couples opt for a civil
partnership ceremony in their own country or in Gibraltar and follow
with a blessing ceremony in Spain. Although it is legal to marry same
sex couples some town mayors are still refusing to do this on their own
moral grounds which is in fact breaking the law of the land for which
they can be prosecuted. So far apart from one case no other mayor
has been prosecuted yet.
Benidorm is adhering to the new legislation and is therefore an ideal
venue for your marriage in Spain. As this is such new legislation time
will change the current hit and miss situation with regards who will and
who refuses to take gay marriage ceremonies. For a good source of
information see wikipedia
For a Gran Canaria wedding planner see www.celebrationsgc.co.uk
For a Costa Del Sol gay wedding planner covering areas from
Malaga to Gibraltar you might like to contact
www.gayweddingsnerja.com
The new law has not yet been fully tested in Spain. It appears that
different areas are adopting the law more slowly than others it is
therefore best to ensure that it is possible to get married in your
chosen town at this time.
You are now covered under EU and EEA (European Economic Area)
common law which means that a gay marriage in Spain should be
legally recognised in those countries who allow same sex unions.
However a gay marriage is not recognised as a marriage as such in
the UK but is recognised as a civil partnership. Only Canada Spain
and Belgium recognise gay marriage as marriage. You should check
with your country of residence before committing to a marriage in
Spain to ensure it will be legally recognised within their partnership
laws. Spain does now recognise UK civil partnerships in Spain but the
law is still being tested and is sure to be contested for a while yet. See
press release for full details from
Here is a list of some of the countries who legally recognise
same sex partnerships at this time.
Belgium - statutory cohabitation
Belgium - marriage
Canada - marriage
Denmark - registered partnership
Finland - registered partnership
France - civil solidarity pact
Germany - life partnership
Iceland - confirmed cohabitation
Netherlands - registered partnership
Norway - registered partnership
Spain - marriage
Sweden - registered partnership
United kingdom - Civil Partnership
United States of America - Vermont / Massachusetts - civil union
For assistance in planning your gay wedding in Spain you should
look no further than Javea Organisers who operate a very gay friendly
wedding service on the Costa Blanca. You will also be assured a
problem free marriage as these folks really do know what they are
doing. For a luxury Rolls Royce for your special day you should
contact Alicante wedding cars who offer a fine service and a dedicated
team from this small local Costa Blanca business.
They can help you with the following;
Reception and Ceremony Venue finding
Partnership Registration information
Ceremony creation and advice
Inflatable church Yes a church seating up to 60
Photographers - Flowers - Cakes - Invitations
Table decorations and seating plans
Fireworks
Gift List
Hotel accommodation & function rooms
Entertainment
Transport
OUTRAGE UK PRESS RELEASE
DECEMBER 13TH 2007
UK Civil Partnerships recognised in Spain
Breakthrough in international recognition
Call for common EU policy to recognise civil
partners in all member states
London and Madrid – 13 December 2007
“The Spanish government has, for the first time,
recognised UK same-sex civil partnerships,” said
gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of
OutRage.
“This is a big breakthrough in securing overseas
recognition and rights for British lesbian and gay
civil partners. Up to now, civil partnerships are
mostly unrecognised abroad. This creates huge
legal problems for UK lesbian and gay civil
partners who travel, work or retire abroad. They are
treated as two single people, with neither rights
nor responsibilities."
“Up to now, the Spanish government has
dismissed civil partnerships as a uniquely British
institution, with no international validity. It has
refused to give any legal rights to UK same-sex
civil partners who have settled in Spain; viewing
civil partnerships as inferior to civil marriage and
unworthy of recognition.
“Spain’s decision to recognise UK civil
partnerships is the result of months of lobbying by
two UK civil partners who now live in Spain, Paul
and Martin Ward. They fought and won this
concession,” said Mr Tatchell.
“This is a great step forward for lesbian and gay
civil partners,” said Paul Ward.
“We are both delighted with this positive outcome
and we are glad that we have achieved this result
for others, as well as for ourselves,” he said.
Mr Tatchell concurs:
“This is a significant step forward in securing
international acknowledgement and rights for
lesbian and gay civil partners,” he said. “I hope the
new Spanish ruling will prompt other countries to
follow suit and, in particular, that the EU will agree
to adopt a common policy of recognising civil
partnerships throughout all member states,” said
Mr Tatchell.
Statement by Paul and Martin Ward:
“In December of 2006 we contacted our local
authority in the UK, Devon County Hall, and were
advised that a UK same-sex civil partnership
would be recognised in Spain.
“We became civil partners on Valentines Day of
2007. See www.freewebs.com/shaldon
“At the time, Paul lived in Spain and both of us
returned to Spain to start our new life together.
“After contacting the British Consul in Malaga we
were distraught to discover our civil partnership
was not recognised in Spain, leaving us in a
situation of now your married, now your not, with
no legal rights.
“We both decided to fight for our partnership to be
recognised here in Spain, in the same way that
Spain recognises a UK heterosexual marriage
and the UK recognises a Spanish gay marriage.
“We have had long, protracted battled with Denise
Holt the UK Ambassador to Spain, Michael
Holloway the UK Consul General in Madrid, the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband MP.
“Throughout or struggle for the recognition of our
civil partnership we had the support of Michael
Cashman MEP, Glenys Kinnock, MEP and gay
human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
“On the 16 August this year, David Miliband the UK
Foreign Secretary had a meeting with the Ministry
of Justice in Spain, where he discussed our case.
“We were subsequently advised by the British
consul that the UK Embassy in Madrid, the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office on London and
Spanish Ministry of Justice were negotiating a
decision on Spanish recognition of UK same-sex
civil partnerships. “The eventual result was that
Spain did, indeed, agree to recognise the civil
partnerships of UK lesbian and gay couples.
“We visited the British Consul on 29 November to
change our status in our passports. “We have
made a little bit of history by becoming the first UK
same-sex couple resident in Spain to have their
civil partnership acknowledged in law and in the
observations section of our passports.
“This is a great step forward for lesbian and gay
civil partners. “We are both delighted with this
positive outcome and we are glad that we have
achieved this result for others, as
well as for ourselves.”
More information:
Paul and Martin Ward: 0034678284982
Peter Tatchell, OutRage!:( +44) 020 7403 1790
Ends
DECEMBER 13TH 2007
UK Civil Partnerships recognised in Spain
Breakthrough in international recognition
Call for common EU policy to recognise civil
partners in all member states
London and Madrid – 13 December 2007
“The Spanish government has, for the first time,
recognised UK same-sex civil partnerships,” said
gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of
OutRage.
“This is a big breakthrough in securing overseas
recognition and rights for British lesbian and gay
civil partners. Up to now, civil partnerships are
mostly unrecognised abroad. This creates huge
legal problems for UK lesbian and gay civil
partners who travel, work or retire abroad. They are
treated as two single people, with neither rights
nor responsibilities."
“Up to now, the Spanish government has
dismissed civil partnerships as a uniquely British
institution, with no international validity. It has
refused to give any legal rights to UK same-sex
civil partners who have settled in Spain; viewing
civil partnerships as inferior to civil marriage and
unworthy of recognition.
“Spain’s decision to recognise UK civil
partnerships is the result of months of lobbying by
two UK civil partners who now live in Spain, Paul
and Martin Ward. They fought and won this
concession,” said Mr Tatchell.
“This is a great step forward for lesbian and gay
civil partners,” said Paul Ward.
“We are both delighted with this positive outcome
and we are glad that we have achieved this result
for others, as well as for ourselves,” he said.
Mr Tatchell concurs:
“This is a significant step forward in securing
international acknowledgement and rights for
lesbian and gay civil partners,” he said. “I hope the
new Spanish ruling will prompt other countries to
follow suit and, in particular, that the EU will agree
to adopt a common policy of recognising civil
partnerships throughout all member states,” said
Mr Tatchell.
Statement by Paul and Martin Ward:
“In December of 2006 we contacted our local
authority in the UK, Devon County Hall, and were
advised that a UK same-sex civil partnership
would be recognised in Spain.
“We became civil partners on Valentines Day of
2007. See www.freewebs.com/shaldon
“At the time, Paul lived in Spain and both of us
returned to Spain to start our new life together.
“After contacting the British Consul in Malaga we
were distraught to discover our civil partnership
was not recognised in Spain, leaving us in a
situation of now your married, now your not, with
no legal rights.
“We both decided to fight for our partnership to be
recognised here in Spain, in the same way that
Spain recognises a UK heterosexual marriage
and the UK recognises a Spanish gay marriage.
“We have had long, protracted battled with Denise
Holt the UK Ambassador to Spain, Michael
Holloway the UK Consul General in Madrid, the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband MP.
“Throughout or struggle for the recognition of our
civil partnership we had the support of Michael
Cashman MEP, Glenys Kinnock, MEP and gay
human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
“On the 16 August this year, David Miliband the UK
Foreign Secretary had a meeting with the Ministry
of Justice in Spain, where he discussed our case.
“We were subsequently advised by the British
consul that the UK Embassy in Madrid, the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office on London and
Spanish Ministry of Justice were negotiating a
decision on Spanish recognition of UK same-sex
civil partnerships. “The eventual result was that
Spain did, indeed, agree to recognise the civil
partnerships of UK lesbian and gay couples.
“We visited the British Consul on 29 November to
change our status in our passports. “We have
made a little bit of history by becoming the first UK
same-sex couple resident in Spain to have their
civil partnership acknowledged in law and in the
observations section of our passports.
“This is a great step forward for lesbian and gay
civil partners. “We are both delighted with this
positive outcome and we are glad that we have
achieved this result for others, as
well as for ourselves.”
More information:
Paul and Martin Ward: 0034678284982
Peter Tatchell, OutRage!:( +44) 020 7403 1790
Ends
| Wedding Cars Alicante & The Costa Blanca For your special day Stunning Vintage Rolls Royce Silver Shadow c1973 or A White Chrysler Convertible |
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