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The world’s first lesbian couple to get married

In 2001, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage. A collective wedding at midnight televised the first unions.

On 1 April 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage.

Four couples were chosen to take part in a collective wedding at midnight which was broadcast on TV.

Hélène Faasen and Anne-Marie Thus tell Dan Hardoon about the wedding they thought they'd never have.

(Photo: The four happy couples cut the cake. Credit: Marcel Antonisse/ANP/AFP/Getty Images)

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9 minutes

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Tue 9 Jan 202403:50GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

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  • Mon 8 Jan 202408:50GMT
    BBC World Service
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    BBC World Service
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    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
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    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Tue 9 Jan 202403:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

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