Often referred to as a ‘gay wedding’, a Civil Partnership is a legal union between two people of the same sex formed when they register as civil partners of each other. Once a civil partnership occurs between a gay couple, they are entitled to receive similar treatment and benefits as that of any married couple. On December 5 2005, The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into effect in the UK, giving couples of the same sex legal recognition of their relationship. Any one who enters into a Civil Partnership obtains the new legal status of ‘Civil Partner’ instead of the traditional husband and wife status.