AMSTERDAM, 08/03/01 - Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen will officiate at the first legal marriages between homosexuals on 1 April. Four couples will be joined in marriage in the former council chamber of Hotel The Grand. Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus were married in the same room 35 years ago.

The Senate did have to rush through various items of repair legislation last Tuesday. Some textual amendments had to be made in the civil code, such as the male and female terminology. And in the new marriage certificate, the gender indications had to be replaced by "Partner 1" and "Partner 2". The ChristenUnie and Christian democrats (CDA) voted against these changes, but this had no effect at all against the large majority who supported them.

Civil marriage will be opened to homosexual couples as of 1 April. Only couples who have previously made use of the possibility of Registered Partnership can be married immediately; others must first give notification of their intent to marry ('ondertrouw'), and then wait two weeks before the actual ceremony can take place.