Homosexual couple tie knot in British Antarctic Territory’s first same-sex wedding ceremony

The primary same-sex wedding ceremony has taken place within the British Antarctic Territory, on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Polar analysis ship crew members Stephen Carpenter, from Caerphilly, and Eric Bourne, from Rochford, Essex grew to become the primary same-sex couple to wed within the British Antarctic Territory, atop the boat by which they’re stewards.

The marriage on Sunday (24 April), overlooking the Antarctic Peninsula, was officiated by the boat’s captain, Will Whatley, and was celebrated together with the 30 crew members, in keeping with the BBC.

“Antarctica is such an unbelievable place,” Carpenter informed the information outlet.

“We’ve got been collectively for 20 years however now we’ve each been to Antarctica collectively, it felt like the proper place for us to lastly tie the knot.

“We’ve even had the coordinates of the marriage location engraved into our rings.”

Since then, they’ve travelled the world’s oceans, and at present work collectively on the analysis ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, which is on its maiden voyage in Antarctica.

Bourne mentioned: “We’re each very proud to be the primary same-sex marriage to occur in British Antarctic Territory.

“We really feel very fortunate to have the ability to stay and work in such an unbelievable group and place collectively.”

Since marriage regulation, making it simpler for marriages to be organized within the Territory, was reformed in 2016 there was only one different wedding ceremony between British Antarctic Survey employees, earlier than Carpenter and Bourne.

The pair’s marriage can be registered by the British Antarctic Territory Authorities, and will probably be legitimate within the UK.

Captain Whatley mentioned: “It was such an honour to be officiating Eric and Steve’s wedding ceremony.

“The RRS Sir David Attenborough just isn’t solely our administrative center but additionally our dwelling, and it’s a privilege to assist two integral members of our crew rejoice their big day.”