Seventy couples take pride in mass gay wedding

Seventy gay and lesbian couples tied the knot in Manchester yesterday at Britain's biggest homosexual wedding.

Seventy gay and lesbian couples tied the knot in Manchester yesterday at Britain's biggest homosexual wedding.

The Rev Andy Braunston of the Manchester Metropolitan Community Church delivered the mass service at Sackville Park, in Manchester's Gay Village, as part of the Manchester Pride festival.

"The ceremony was a chance to celebrate our love and campaign for the right to marry so that we are treated equally," Mr Braunston said. "After all, love is not discriminatory."

Gay and lesbian couples have no legal recognition. The Civil Partnership Bill, going through Parliament, will give homosexual couples legal status for the first time.