KENILWORTH, 1 SEPTEMBER 2002 — Derek Lennard, the chairperson of the national campaigning group the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA), and his partner Malcolm Barnes were among the first to sign the London Partnerships Register just prior to its first anniversary on 5 September 2002. The signing took place on 31 August at City Hall, the Greater London Authority’s recently opened new premises near Tower Bridge on the River Thames.
Before signing the register, the couple affirmed their commitment to each other before guests in a ceremony arranged by the Pink Triangle Trust (GALHA’s associated charity) and conducted by PTT celebrant Denis Cobell who is also president of the National Secular Society. The formalities were followed by a champagne toast to the couple on the terrace overlooking the river.
Derek is a social worker/counsellor at a London hospice and Malcolm works as a systems integrator at a London City bank. The two first met 12 years ago on a walk organised by the Gay Outdoor Club. They said that there were three reasons for their signing the register: to support the GLA in providing the facility; in the hope that it might lead to a national partnership law; and to celebrate their relationship with their friends. They added that they were pleased to demonstrate the suitability of the Pink Triangle Trust’s humanist ceremony for same-sex couples with no religious beliefs.