Sir Elton John, the famous singer, got married to his long-time partner in a civil marriage ceremony held in Windsor Guildhall on 21st December 2005. Nothing special about that, you might say, until you discover that Sir Elton's marriage partner is a man. Fifteen days previously the law in England and Wales had changed to allow civil partnerships to take place between people of the same sex. Fifteen days elapsed between the law coming into force and the first 'gay marriages' being performed as the couple has to declare publicly, in writing, their intent to marry, at least, two weeks before the ceremony takes place. A civil partnership in England and Wales is a legally recognized partnership between two people of the same sex which grants the participants new legal status as far as employment, pensions and inheritances are concerned. The partners in the arrangement become next of kin to each other, as in a heterosexual (异性的) marriage. The new law also alters the civil partners' rights in relation to immigration and nationality. Nevertheless, the partnership is not legally the same as a marriage, according to UK law. This is partly due to the fact that the ceremony itself does net need to be conducted in public and the participants do not need to be present together at the same time to sign the necessary documents. Hence the terms 'gay marriage' and 'gay wedding' have no legal meaning although some couples choose to use them. Many European countries have introduced legislation to officially recognize same-sex partnerships. Britain is only the latest in quite a long line of countries to allow 'gay weddings'. As long ago as 1989, Denmark became the first country to give same-sex partners the same rights as married couples. Outside Europe 'gay marriages' have been allowed across Canada since July 2005, in Argentina since 2003, and in New Zealand since the end of 2004. 'Gay marriages' are permitted in some states in the USA, for example, Massachusetts. Vermont was the first to permit them, giving same-sex partners the chance to make civil unions in 2000. In California, however, an attempt to legalize same-sex partnerships was stopped by the State Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 'Gay marriages' are ______.