Gay and lesbian couples in Leicestershire and Rutland now have the right to publicly declare their unions. Local authorities are using their powers to establish civil partnership registers. The ceremonies mean same sex couples can enjoy many of the rights married people do. Leicester couple Dan and Pete, who do not want to give their full names, are preparing for their ceremony at the city's town hall. Listen to their diary about getting ready for the big day: Journalist Dan, aged 34, and 24-year-old musician Pete have been together for seven years. Dan says their friends and family are in favour of the ceremony. He said: "They've been really supportive - in fact there are 140 people coming to the party after the do!".
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