Gay Couples Marry Under New Dutch Law

AMSTERDAM —  Four gay couples exchanged rings and vows at City Hall early today, becoming what rights groups called the world’s first homosexuals to wed legally.

The ceremony capped a 15-year campaign to award gay couples equal rights under civil law. It began just after midnight, when legislation approved last year allowing same-sex marriages took effect.

The law had been fiercely opposed by some Christian groups. A few people protested outside City Hall, calling the unions “unnatural.”

Standing around a conference table, three male couples and one female couple held hands as Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen officiated.

“And now we have the marriage of two men and two women,” Cohen said after each agreed to accept his or her partner as a spouse.

A packed meeting hall burst into applause, but the newlyweds stood awkwardly until Cohen told them they could congratulate each other. Then they kissed and embraced.

Cohen gave each partner a ring, then asked the couples to sign a marriage registry. The two women wore gowns. Most of the men wore conservative dark suits, although one couple was outfitted in leather.

“In the Netherlands, we have gained the insight that an institution as important as marriage should be open to everyone,” he said.

Though several other countries register same-sex couples, and some call them marriages, rights groups have hailed the Dutch legislation as groundbreaking. It eliminates all references to gender in laws governing matrimony and adoption, going so far as to amend the dictionary to eliminate references to “man and woman” in the definition of marriage.

Foreigners hoping to get married in the Netherlands will be disappointed. Only Dutch nationals or resident foreigners living with Dutch partners are eligible for same-sex marriages.