N. Ireland conducts first gay weddings

Britain's first same-sex civil unions of three couples took place at Belfast's City Hall Monday as protesters thronged outside.

Two women, Shannon Sickles and Grainne Close, exchanged vows as the first couple to use the new Civil Partnership Act to gain similar legal rights to married male-female couples.

Another lesbian couple and a gay couple also exchanged vows after them.

Outside, about 40 people carried placards denouncing the civil unions, including the Rev. David McIlveen of the Free Presbyterian Church, who told the BBC that gay marriages don't fit in with Christian teaching about marriage.

"It is revealed as being an honorable relationship whereas the Bible speaks of same sex relationships as being an abomination. You cannot reconcile the two," he said.

The first ceremonies in Scotland will take place Tuesday, and in England and Wales on Wednesday.

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