Gay pairs pledge their Valentine's Day love

15 Feb 2007- Several gay couples celebrated Valentine's Day by making their vows in Tshwane on Wednesday. Pastor Andre Muller of the Dutch Reforming Church in Muckleneuk had four appointments of three male and two female same-sex marriages at his offices in Sunnyside on Wednesday.

Two women, who have been together for six years, were officially married at 2pm on Wednesday. They said the date "just worked out that way".

The pair, who did not want to be identified because not all of their family members were aware of their sexual orientation, said they thought about a date two weeks ago and called the pastor to make an appointment.

"We celebrate two wedding anniversaries now," said one of them with a laugh, "because we had our religious ceremony at the church three years ago.

"Today we are making the marriage legal by doing the paperwork." The women, who live in Centurion, met 10 years ago through work. "We became friends during a social outing for work.

"Then we took a second look and we realised there was more there. We have been together for six years now," said one. She said they would be celebrating by spending quality time together and having a quiet dinner at home.

"We will have a party at the weekend. We had a large celebration when we had the religious ceremony, so we won't have anything big this time."

She said things would be different now that they were married. "I won't be home early anymore to make supper every night," she joked.

Muller said he knew the two were right for each other because they seemed to know each other's thoughts to the extent that the one could complete the other's sentences.

"I won't marry a couple who do not know each other well, especially on Valentine's Day, when people can get carried away," he said.

The couple said that they hoped other couples did not let emotions get out of hand and that they realised the true importance of getting married.

Muller said by the end of Valentine's Day he would have performed 50 same-sex marriages since they were made legal on 1 Dec.

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