Elton John and partner tie the knot

A new law gives marriage-like legal benefits to same-sex couples.
WINDSOR, England (AP) -- Britain's most famous gay couple -- Sir Elton John and Canadian filmmaker David Furnish -- tied the knot Wednesday in a much-anticipated ceremony that capped the first week of legalized civil unions in the United Kingdom.
John, 58, and Furnish, 43, were among hundreds of same-sex couples taking advantage of a new British law offering same-sex couples a legal status similar to marriage. The law took effect Wednesday in England and Wales. Ceremonies were held earlier this week in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Fans turned up before sunrise in the cobbled streets around Windsor's town hall, the Guildhall, where Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in April. Cameras flickered as the couple -- John wearing purple spectacles and a black suit -- walked out arm-in-arm, waving to the crowd.
The couple drove off in a black Rolls-Royce for a lunch followed by a glitzy reception with more than 700 guests.
"I think it's amazing -- it's brilliant," said Tim Alcock, 43, one of dozens of onlookers.
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Peter Tatchell, spokesman for the gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage! said the wedding "would raise the profile of gay love and commitment."
"Their same-sex civil partnership ceremony will be reported all over the world including in countries where news about gay issues is normally never reported," he said. "This will give hope to millions of isolated, vulnerable, lesbian and gay people especially those living in repressive and homophobic countries."
The new law -- passed last year despite some opposition from Parliament's unelected House of Lords -- allows civil ceremonies that will give same-sex couples the same social security, tax, pension and inheritance rights as married couples.
Furnish, best known for a documentary about the pop star called "Tantrums and Tiaras," has been with John for 12 years.