By Reena Kumar
LOVED up gay couples made history in the early hours this morning by tying the knot in the first same sex marriages.
The historic marriage law came into force today in England and Wales after being passed by parliament last year.
One couple will perform almost their entire ceremony barring the legal declaration in song for a television programme entitled "Our Gay Wedding: The Musical" on Monday.
Civil partnerships have been legal since 2005 and marriage brings no new rights, but campaigners have insisted that the right to marry gives gay people full equality with heterosexual couples.
In India, in a step condemned by gay rights activists, the Supreme Court reinstated Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code last year which criminalises gay sex.
It is considered an “unnatural offence” and is a term punishable by a 10-year jail term.
Teresa Millward, 37, married her girlfriend of 11 years, Helen Brearley, in Yorkshire this morning.
"We didn't want to get married until it was a marriage that my mum and dad could have, that other men or women could have," she said.
A rainbow flag will fly above the Cabinet Office this weekend in celebration of the new law.
Despite the fact that some Conservative politicians and the established Church of England opposed the move, it has support from the majority of the public.
The law is the final victory in a long battle stretching back to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England in 1967.
"Finally, after years of campaigning, any couple who wants to get married can get married," said Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
"Together we've made our country a place where we celebrate love equally, gay or straight — and for that reason we should all be raising a glass."
The Church of England which is against same-sex marriage, insisting weddings should only take place between a man and a woman, has secured an exemption from the new law.
The House of Bishops last month also warned clergy they should not bless married gay couples.
But Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans, indicated that the Church would no longer campaign against the issue.
"I think the Church has reacted by fully accepting that it's the law, and should react on Saturday by continuing to demonstrate in word and action, the love of Christ for every human being," he said.
Fifteen countries have legalised gay marriage and another three allow it in some areas, but homosexuals remain persecuted in many parts of the world.
