First same-sex Jewish marriage takes place in Manchester

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/06/02/first-same-sex-jewish-marriage-takes-place-in-manchester/

The first same-sex Jewish partnership ceremony officially to be termed a marriage by Liberal Judaism – a major British progressive strand of the religion – took place in Manchester last weekend.

Liberal Jewish Community members Jeffrey Levine and Roman Hunter-Fox exchanged vows, a ketubah and rings under a chuppah at the city’s Lowry Hotel.

As reported in the Jewish Chronicle, both men performed the traditional glass-breaking, while specially written shevah brachot (seven blessings) were made, including the phrase “Blessed is God that you cause loving companions to rejoice together”, to replace the traditional blessing for a bride and groom.

This was not the UK’s first same-sex ceremony under a chuppah, but it was the first time Liberal Judaism has sanctioned the use of the terms “ketubot” and “marriage” in this scenario.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. My dear friend had a rabbi preside over his gay wedding almost two decades ago

in Greenwich Village. After the ceremony I remarked to him that I couldn't believe that he found a rabbi to officiate the ceremony. He replied that it wasn't that difficult to do in The Village. I rebutted, no, what I meant was he found a rabbi would marry him to a practicing Catholic.