London -
British press reports say Elton John is preparing to enter into a civil union with longtime partner David Furnish.
The Sun says that the couple will exchange vows in London early in the New Year.
Legislation to create a domestic partner registry, giving same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by married couples, was passed last week in the House of Commons. The bill goes to the House of Lords this week where it is expected to face tough opposition. The Blair government has said it wants the legislation in place by the end of the year.
John and Furnish have lived together for 11 years.
The Sun quotes the singer as saying the civil ceremony will be a simple affair. "We don't want to turn it into a circus," he told the Sun.
"We just feel that any relationship that has lasted for as long as ours deserves recognition, protection and respect."
John said the only guests would be family and close friends.
"David is the most important person in my life and I cannot imagine existing without him."
John was briefly married to a woman. He divorced Renate Blauel in 1988.
The singer did not say why they opted for a civil ceremony in his homeland. Furnish is Canadian where full marriage is legal. Both he and Furnish reside in the US, but because they do not live in Massachusetts, marrying in that state is not an option.
John in the past has said he and Furnish were not contemplating formalizing their relationship. But, following the US election were voters in 11 states banned gay marriage, the singer said he was "disgusted" at the political situation in America.
©365Gay.com 2004
The Sun says that the couple will exchange vows in London early in the New Year.
Legislation to create a domestic partner registry, giving same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by married couples, was passed last week in the House of Commons. The bill goes to the House of Lords this week where it is expected to face tough opposition. The Blair government has said it wants the legislation in place by the end of the year.
John and Furnish have lived together for 11 years.
The Sun quotes the singer as saying the civil ceremony will be a simple affair. "We don't want to turn it into a circus," he told the Sun.
"We just feel that any relationship that has lasted for as long as ours deserves recognition, protection and respect."
John said the only guests would be family and close friends.
"David is the most important person in my life and I cannot imagine existing without him."
John was briefly married to a woman. He divorced Renate Blauel in 1988.
The singer did not say why they opted for a civil ceremony in his homeland. Furnish is Canadian where full marriage is legal. Both he and Furnish reside in the US, but because they do not live in Massachusetts, marrying in that state is not an option.
John in the past has said he and Furnish were not contemplating formalizing their relationship. But, following the US election were voters in 11 states banned gay marriage, the singer said he was "disgusted" at the political situation in America.
©365Gay.com 2004
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
