Everyone should be able to ...

Everyone should be able to have the privilege, the duty of marriage with the one they love!

Detlef and I, who celebrated 15 years of relationship in May, were able yesterday to celebrate our Tenth Wedding Anniversary. The law allowing civil unions between gays and lesbians came into effect on August 1, 2001, and we were there that day with our paperwork complete and got the first appointment to say "I do" in the Weißensee district of Berlin. On the morning of August 7 at 9am we were in the handsome room in Parkstraße with Detlef's mom and our friend Erich to become legally wed. Waiting for us at home was Detlef's father with a congratulations basket, and that evening we threw a spontaneous party to celebrate to which everyone was able to come; better than had we planned it long in advance.

May every country, state, jurisdiction that has not already done so speedily enact legislation to enable gay and lesbian couples to make their relationships legal, with all the duties and responsibilities and privileges and rights involved.