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Nine News: Michael Fisher reports that same sex couples in the North will benefit from the same legal rights as married people
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Six One News: Michael Fisher explains that same sex couples in the UK will benefit from the same legal rights as married people
Same-sex couples in the UK have the right to register their partnerships from today.
The Civil Partnerships Act gives gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights as married people when it comes to pensions, state benefits and taxation.
The first ceremonies under the act can take place in Northern Ireland on 19 December, followed by Scotland the next day and England and Wales on 21 December.
Up to 1,200 ceremonies have already been scheduled.
