First same sex marriage celebrated at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Two Gold Coast men have today become the first same-sex couple to be married at Queensland’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) since the passing of Marriage Equality laws last month.

The couple said, “I do” in front of more than 20 friends and family in one of the registry’s two ceremony rooms overlooking panoramic Brisbane surrounds.

Acting Premier Jackie Trad congratulated the pair on their special day - one that would be etched in Queensland’s history.

“This is a fantastic and historic day, not only for this couple, but for Queensland,” Ms Trad said.

“We’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time as legislators and as a community.

“Several years ago, Campbell Newman and the LNP repealed civil partnerships legislation yet 2018 has started with celebration.

“It has been a long hard road to this point but I’m sure we’ll see many more ceremonies, where two people – regardless of gender - are able to declare their love in front of family and friends.”

Ms Trad said the registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has also recently commissioned two new special commemorative marriage certificates that were designed to acknowledge the new same sex marriage laws.

“These recently released certificates are gender neutral in design and complement the three previous designs which are also still available,” Ms Trad said.

“These additional certificate options are now available and were able to highlight such a significant occasion.”

Couples who wish to marry at the Queensland RBDM must first lodge their notice of intention to marry at the registry. They can then marry one calendar month from this lodgement date.

For more information about marriage ceremonies at the RBDM and the new commemorative certificates please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces

ENDS

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