OUR congratulations go to the gay couples who got hitched yesterday.

None of the civil partnerships at York Register Office was followed by a £1 million reception, as staged by Sir Elton John and David Furnish. But all involved shared the same sense of joy and pride as the pop star and his partner.

The law has finally caught up with society. These unions went ahead without protest of fuss. The great majority of people wish the couples involved every future happiness.

Yesterday's ceremonies did more than place same-sex partners on the same legal footing as married couples. They officially endorsed their public statement of love and commitment, and that is worth celebrating.

Updated: 10:56 Thursday, December 22, 2005