Low key
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There was something comfortingly British about our marriage*, the Queen and Prince Philip gazing down upon us from a yellowing photograph, the Union Jack hanging proudly in one corner. At the same time, it was appropriately bizarre. Japan is, after all, the home of contradiction and the pinnacle of weirdness. We had arrived an hour before we were to register our civil partnership in the British Consulate Osaka, a slice of home (literally) nineteen floors up, in a country that socially recognises homosexuality as an activity rather than a lifestyle, let alone a legal partnership.
Spectacularly low-key, the morning was not too embarrassing and was helped considerably by the presence of Etsuyo, Mitsuko and baby Natchan (very bemused by all the official signings). The staff of the consulate were very friendly, and very confidently led us through the five minute(!) registration (only the eighth civil partnership in Western Japan, ever!). Photos (all awful) were taken inside and at the shrine opposite, and we gratefully discarded the ties as soon as possible. It was both amusing and nice to see Rhod wearing a shirt and tie, and although he hated every moment, he looked wonderful. So we are married... a new and exciting feeling, and the start of the next stage in our lives. Although it may seem very rushed and undercover, we have long intended to do it (originally planned for this November but my returning to the UK meant that this was impossible). A nice result of the very limited number of locations to perform the ceremony here, is that we got hitched very close to the place we first met. Although I am not a big fan of Osaka, I am a big fan of what it helped us to achieve. Unfortunately we will not have time for a honeymoon just yet as Rhod is still crunching on 'Shooter', but as we are in Japan, every day feels exotic already. Hopefully at some stage we can invite you all to a proper celebration in the UK, but for now here are the photos we are willing to release. p.s. I have no idea what Mitsuko (standing on the left of the bottom picture) is doing. I think she has gotten the peace sign terribly mixed up and is not intentionally flipping us the finger. With her you can never be too sure! |
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*I have debated what language I should use when talking about getting 'married' and it seems that there is a desperate need for newer and more appropriate terms when discussing the union between man and man, and woman and woman. In a world still modernising at such an extraordinary rate, it seems odd that as yet there is not sufficient vocabulary in this particular matter. English is a wonderfully descriptive language, but technically I did not marry Rhod and he is not my husband. The phrase 'civil partnership' seems so sober that it really does feel nothing more than a signature. Then again 'marriage', 'wedding' and 'husband' are linked too closely to Christianity and tradition to seem appropriate. I would love for there to be a sweeter way of saying that I got hitched with my boyfriend, but I suppose the whole acceptance of same-sex partnerships is all very new and fragile.
A low-key announcement, too!
This is the best thing ever – I’m so pleased for you both xx
handolio (URL) - 02 10 09 - 00:56
What what what?! Well done chaps!
tom (Email) - 05 10 09 - 02:09
Hi, testing testing — just sending you both lots of love,
hazel Allen (Email) - 13 10 09 - 06:15
