Elton John and David Furnish got married!

*Raph's Girl* · 12-21-2005, 07:35 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051221/...ple_elton_john

Pop star Elton John and his longtime love David Furnish became one of England's first legally bound gay couples Wednesday in a low-key ceremony followed by celebrity-studded bash.

John, 58, and Furnish, 43, were among hundreds of same-sex couples taking advantage of a new British law offering same-sex couples a legal status similar to marriage. The law took effect on Wednesday in England and Wales. Ceremonies were held earlier this week in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Fans turned up before sunrise in the cobbled streets around Windsor's town hall, the Guildhall, where
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in April. Cameras flickered as the couple — John wearing purple spectacles and a black suit — walked out arm-in-arm, waving to the crowd.

The couple drove off in a black Rolls Royce for a lunch followed by a glitzy reception to be attended by more than 700 guests.

"I think it's amazing — it's brilliant," said Tim Alcock, 43, one of dozens of onlookers.

Prime Minister
Tony Blair, speaking to reporters at a news conference, wished the couple well and congratulated them for exercising their newfound legal right. Gay rights activists saw the union as milestone in gay rights movement.

Peter Tatchell, spokesman for the gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage! said the wedding "would raise the profile of gay love and commitment."

"Their same-sex civil partnership ceremony will be reported all over the world including in countries where news about gay issues is normally never reported," he said. "This will give hope to millions of isolated, vulnerable, lesbian and gay people especially those living in repressive and homophobic countries."

The new law — passed last year despite some opposition from Parliament's unelected House of Lords — allows civil ceremonies that will give same-sex couples the same social security, tax, pension and inheritance rights as married couples.

Furnish, a Canadian-born filmmaker, and John have been together for 12 years. Both acknowledged that their ceremony might have broader ramifications.

"As far as I'm concerned I've always considered myself committed to Elton and he's the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. So in that sense I don't feel like the dynamic of our relationship is going to change," Furnish told Attitude magazine. "But from a social standpoint, I think it's hugely significant. It is a major, major change. It is one of the defining issues of our times."

After the ceremony the couple headed for a lunch with their family to be followed by a reception — costing an estimated $1.75 million — where pink champagne and lamb would be served to hundreds of celebrity guests inside two giant white tents that have been erected on the grounds of the pop star's Windsor mansion.

Their morning ceremony, in contrast, was low-key with only John's mother and stepfather and Furnish's parents reportedly in attendance.

Guests at the couple's bachelor night on Monday included heavy metal rocker turned reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, model and actress Liz Hurley and musicians
Bryan Adams, Gary Barlow and Kid Rock.

John, who was married once before to studio engineer Renate Blauel, is known for such songs as "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man." He was also a very close friend of Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and was knighted in 1998 — an honor he described as the pinnacle of his decades-long career.

"It's a long time coming really," said Suzi Uprichard, 33, of Maidenhead, who was in the crowd in Windsor. She said she was excited to be part of what she described as a historic day for same-sex couples.

Other couples tying the knot Wednesday included actor Sir Antony Sher, 56, and his partner Greg Doran, 47, who wed at Islington Town Hall in north London.

Three couples signed their documents moments after the register office opened at 8 a.m. in Brighton, the south coast city known as Britain's gay capital.

"I'm really excited! I'm very happy to be one of the first," said Gino Meriano, who was with his partner Mike Ullett.

The Netherlands, Canada, Belgium and Spain have legalized same-sex marriage, while Germany, France and Switzerland have laws similar to Britain's. In the United States, only Massachusetts allows gay marriage, while Vermont and Connecticut permit civil unions.

Raph's Girl note: Woohoo!! Goo Elton and David!

I didn't know Vermont and Connecticut permited Civil unions. Huh...learn something new everyday.

~~Turtledude2k3~~ · 12-21-2005, 05:21 PM

Oh boy more gay marriage stuff..

**ThirdMarioBro** · 12-21-2005, 06:45 PM

*tries to picture the marrige ceramony*

.....bad idea.

*purges mind*

**GK Punk** · 12-21-2005, 07:58 PM

That's awesome, I hope they are happy together.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 12-21-2005, 08:09 PM

Yeah, I hope they're happy too.

Cerpin Taxt · 12-21-2005, 08:53 PM

I support gay marriage. I don't support over-publicized celebrity gay marriages.

Ra · 12-22-2005, 03:23 AM

I don't really care. As long as they are happy and don't end up with a divorce. My mom and dad think it's just plain wrong, and I sorta cringe at two guys kissing each other. But they are happy, and for that I don't cringe as much and hope that they have a long and happy life ahead of them together

Type 97 Chi-ha · 12-22-2005, 05:10 PM

Big deal. Decades ago, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year old cousin (not an abnormal event at the time in the Deep South) and it temporarily ruined his career. They had a son who drowned at three years of age in a swimming pool accident, and later divorced. The cousin went on to a career as a real estate agent.

Jo269976 · 12-22-2005, 05:44 PM

Good for them, hope they're happy

**GK Punk** · 12-23-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

Big deal. Decades ago, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year old cousin (not an abnormal event at the time in the Deep South) and it temporarily ruined his career. They had a son who drowned at three years of age in a swimming pool accident, and later divorced. The cousin went on to a career as a real estate agent.

...What does that have to do with anything?

**Jo Dawn** · 12-23-2005, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittie february6

That's awesome, I hope they are happy together.

Ditto.

Congratulations to Sir Elton and David.

~~BartAllen~~ · 12-23-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittie february6

...What does that have to do with anything?

Ha, thats what i was thinking when i read the post.

OA · 12-23-2005, 07:20 AM

I always knew there was somthing different about Elton...

Type 97 Chi-ha · 12-23-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittie february6

...What does that have to do with anything?

Sorry, I should have explained. I used Jerry Lee Lewis as an example because he is another rock musician, and I assume most if not all of you would not consider such a marriage to be valid. (For the record, Lewis was married several times, but his other wives were definitely adults.) In fact, you might find the idea repulsive.

To use other examples, if a royal prince had 800 wives, would you consider that an example of true marriage? How about where one man has several wives, which occurs in many African and Asian cultures? (Muslim law allows four, if they can all be treated equally. Bet it never happens, though.) What about brother/sister marriages, which were common in ancient times before they were found to produce funny offspring? In fact, inbreeding is very common among animals; ask any zoologist or animal breeder.

My whole point is that it is unrealistic to expect people to accept gay marriages as authentic. Sorry, but that's life.

*Anarky* · 12-23-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

My whole point is that it is unrealistic to expect people to accept gay marriages as authentic. Sorry, but that's life.

But do people have to accept any marriage as authentic? Nope, they haven't. All that matters is the married couple. Just because some state or some book thinks that it can say who's allowed to marry and who's not, doesn't necessarily mean that people should think alike.

In the end, I can complain all the f*** I want about anybody's marriage, but in the end, they will still be married. Any examples of polygamists or even people who marry underage people won't help. And people bitching about "Twu Marriages" won't change anything either.

Type 97 Chi-ha · 12-23-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarky

But do people have to accept any marriage as authentic? Nope, they haven't. All that matters is the married couple. Just because some state or some book thinks that it can say who's allowed to marry and who's not, doesn't necessarily mean that people should think alike.

In the end, I can complain all the f*** I want about anybody's marriage, but in the end, they will still be married. Any examples of polygamists or even people who marry underage people won't help. And people bitching about "Twu Marriages" won't change anything either.

Marriage is a legal contract, set to the rules of the local government. It doesn't matter what individual people think, it's what the law says. Of course, if the law lacks popular support, it isn't going to do much good. My point still stands.

*Anarky* · 12-23-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

Marriage is a legal contract, set to the rules of the local government. It doesn't matter what individual people think, it's what the law says. Of course, if the law lacks popular support, it isn't going to do much good. My point still stands.

Yeah, right, next thing the government tells me, is who I have to love... right. In the end, marriage matters to those who want to marry and not to some law or some other stupid deskslave.

Your point might still stand, but it's a stupid one, if I daresay.

Type 97 Chi-ha · 12-23-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarky

Yeah, right, next thing the government tells me, is who I have to love... right. In the end, marriage matters to those who want to marry and not to some law or some other stupid deskslave.

Your point might still stand, but it's a stupid one, if I daresay.

No, my point isn't stupid at all. Marriage is strictly a legal matter, and it really is about what the government says you can do or not, and you can tell me otherwise all you want, but it doesn't change facts. And there's no point in any further argument, because it's just going to be a waste of time.

*Anarky* · 12-23-2005, 02:57 PM

Sure, you may not be allowed to marry, but who cares? I haven't met a single gay person who went "Oh, teh noez, I can't marry my twu wub!!!111oneoneeleven" just because some state told them. Even Romeo and Juliet didn't. And "your" point isn't even yours to begin with, you're just stating the states point, which can be ignored, since it shouldn't have any influence on anyone.

And actually, it's not a legal matter, it's a religious matter. And we all know that state and religion should be divided.

*Sewer Bull* · 12-23-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarky

And actually, it's not a legal matter, it's a religious matter. And we all know that state and religion should be divided.

It is the legal matter in case of inheritance, taxation and other stuff like that.

And I really do think that this thread should be closed, 'cause it's highly inflammable.

12-21-2005, 07:35 AM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Elton John and David Furnish got married! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051221/...ple_elton_john Pop star Elton John and his longtime love David Furnish became one of England's first legally bound gay couples Wednesday in a low-key ceremony followed by celebrity-studded bash. John, 58, and Furnish, 43, were among hundreds of same-sex couples taking advantage of a new British law offering same-sex couples a legal status similar to marriage. The law took effect on Wednesday in England and Wales. Ceremonies were held earlier this week in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Fans turned up before sunrise in the cobbled streets around Windsor's town hall, the Guildhall, where Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in April. Cameras flickered as the couple — John wearing purple spectacles and a black suit — walked out arm-in-arm, waving to the crowd. The couple drove off in a black Rolls Royce for a lunch followed by a glitzy reception to be attended by more than 700 guests. "I think it's amazing — it's brilliant," said Tim Alcock, 43, one of dozens of onlookers. Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking to reporters at a news conference, wished the couple well and congratulated them for exercising their newfound legal right. Gay rights activists saw the union as milestone in gay rights movement. Peter Tatchell, spokesman for the gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage! said the wedding "would raise the profile of gay love and commitment." "Their same-sex civil partnership ceremony will be reported all over the world including in countries where news about gay issues is normally never reported," he said. "This will give hope to millions of isolated, vulnerable, lesbian and gay people especially those living in repressive and homophobic countries." The new law — passed last year despite some opposition from Parliament's unelected House of Lords — allows civil ceremonies that will give same-sex couples the same social security, tax, pension and inheritance rights as married couples. Furnish, a Canadian-born filmmaker, and John have been together for 12 years. Both acknowledged that their ceremony might have broader ramifications. "As far as I'm concerned I've always considered myself committed to Elton and he's the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. So in that sense I don't feel like the dynamic of our relationship is going to change," Furnish told Attitude magazine. "But from a social standpoint, I think it's hugely significant. It is a major, major change. It is one of the defining issues of our times." After the ceremony the couple headed for a lunch with their family to be followed by a reception — costing an estimated $1.75 million — where pink champagne and lamb would be served to hundreds of celebrity guests inside two giant white tents that have been erected on the grounds of the pop star's Windsor mansion. Their morning ceremony, in contrast, was low-key with only John's mother and stepfather and Furnish's parents reportedly in attendance. Guests at the couple's bachelor night on Monday included heavy metal rocker turned reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, model and actress Liz Hurley and musicians Bryan Adams, Gary Barlow and Kid Rock. John, who was married once before to studio engineer Renate Blauel, is known for such songs as "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man." He was also a very close friend of Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and was knighted in 1998 — an honor he described as the pinnacle of his decades-long career. "It's a long time coming really," said Suzi Uprichard, 33, of Maidenhead, who was in the crowd in Windsor. She said she was excited to be part of what she described as a historic day for same-sex couples. Other couples tying the knot Wednesday included actor Sir Antony Sher, 56, and his partner Greg Doran, 47, who wed at Islington Town Hall in north London. Three couples signed their documents moments after the register office opened at 8 a.m. in Brighton, the south coast city known as Britain's gay capital. "I'm really excited! I'm very happy to be one of the first," said Gino Meriano, who was with his partner Mike Ullett. The Netherlands, Canada, Belgium and Spain have legalized same-sex marriage, while Germany, France and Switzerland have laws similar to Britain's. In the United States, only Massachusetts allows gay marriage, while Vermont and Connecticut permit civil unions. Raph's Girl note: Woohoo!! Goo Elton and David! I didn't know Vermont and Connecticut permited Civil unions. Huh...learn something new everyday. __________________

12-21-2005, 06:45 PM	#3
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	tries to picture the marrige ceramony .....bad idea. purges mind __________________

12-21-2005, 08:09 PM	#5
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Yeah, I hope they're happy too. __________________

12-22-2005, 03:23 AM	#7
Ra It's my desire? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In your pants. Posts: 4,441	I don't really care. As long as they are happy and don't end up with a divorce. My mom and dad think it's just plain wrong, and I sorta cringe at two guys kissing each other. But they are happy, and for that I don't cringe as much and hope that they have a long and happy life ahead of them together __________________ "So. The whole lot of you against little old me? How retarded."

12-22-2005, 05:44 PM	#9
Jo269976 Stone Warrior Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 592	Good for them, hope they're happy __________________

12-21-2005, 05:21 PM	#2
~~Turtledude2k3~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 783	Oh boy more gay marriage stuff..

12-21-2005, 07:58 PM	#4
GK Punk I'm your Devil Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,439	That's awesome, I hope they are happy together.

12-21-2005, 08:53 PM	#6
Cerpin Taxt Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 278	I support gay marriage. I don't support over-publicized celebrity gay marriages.

12-22-2005, 05:10 PM	#8
Type 97 Chi-ha Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brookfield, IL Posts: 1,333	Big deal. Decades ago, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year old cousin (not an abnormal event at the time in the Deep South) and it temporarily ruined his career. They had a son who drowned at three years of age in a swimming pool accident, and later divorced. The cousin went on to a career as a real estate agent.

12-23-2005, 07:20 AM	#13
OA Scatter the nuns!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,981	I always knew there was somthing different about Elton... __________________

12-23-2005, 02:57 PM	#19
Anarky Outlaw Hero Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tannhauser Gate Posts: 4,867	Sure, you may not be allowed to marry, but who cares? I haven't met a single gay person who went "Oh, teh noez, I can't marry my twu wub!!!111oneoneeleven" just because some state told them. Even Romeo and Juliet didn't. And "your" point isn't even yours to begin with, you're just stating the states point, which can be ignored, since it shouldn't have any influence on anyone. And actually, it's not a legal matter, it's a religious matter. And we all know that state and religion should be divided. __________________ Because it's... I dunno... brutal.