Gay and lesbians want the right to adopt children under proposed new civil partnerships, it emerged today.

IN the last hours before Shannon Sickels and Gráinne Close made history today, they sat in a Belfast nail bar sipping champagne with their feet soaking in warm soapy water.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is expected to announce later today that he will be taking the first steps in giving official recognition to gay and cohabiting couples who are in long-term relationships.

The first couples in Britain and Ireland to take part in “gay weddings” defied protestors to make history in Belfast today.