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#Same-sex couple makes history with Antarctica wedding

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“Same-sex couple makes history with Antarctica wedding”

Both of these grooms had cold feet on their wedding day — literally.

A gay couple made history by holding their nuptials in Antarctica, becoming the first same-sex couple to wed in the British Antarctic Territory.

Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, who are both stewards on the polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, married aboard the boat, according to the British Antarctic Survey.

The duo, who have been together for two decades, said “I do” among pals, penguins and polar bears on Sunday with the ship’s crew of 30 onboard, the institute said.

The ceremony was officiated by Captain Will Whatley. However, their reception won’t be held until May 8, after their boat returns to the Rothera Research Station. They also plan to host a bigger bash with friends and family in Spain later this year, “with around 100 staff, prepared by the station chef and danc[ing] to live music from the station’s resident band,” a press release said.

The pair met 20 years ago while working on another ship and before being deployed in the last Gulf War.

A handout taken and released by the British Antarctic Survey Press office on April 25, 2022 shows Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter attending their wedding at the helideck of the RSS Sir David Attenborough, at the British Antarctic Territory's Rothera Research Station, on April 24, 2022. - Two stewards on a polar research vessel have become the first same-sex couple to get married in the British Antarctic Territory, the British Antarctic Survey said on April 25, 2022. The ceremony -- the second marriage between BAS staff since a change in the law in 2016 allowing marriages to be arranged in the territory -- was held by the ship's captain. The British Antarctic Territory Government, based in the foreign office in London, will register the union, which will be valid in the UK. (Photo by Richard TURNER / BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Richard TURNER / British Antarctic Survey " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by RICHARD TURNER/BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY/AFP via Getty Images) — “We’re both very proud to be the first same-sex marriage to happen in British Antarctic Territory,” Bourne said.

Crew members of David Attenborough celebrate the wedding of stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, the first same- sex couple to get married in British Antarctic Territory, April 24, 2022, in this picture obtained from social media. British Antarctic Survey/ Richard Turner via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. — The couple married in a small and intimate ceremony with just 30 crew members in attendance.

Bourne was working for BAS, the UK-based research center utilized for investigating polar regions, for three years prior while Carpenter joined RRS Sir David Attenborough in 2021. The couple’s mutual work helped them realize Antarctica would be the prime location for a wedding.

“Antarctica is such an incredible place. We have been together for 20 years, but now we’ve both been to Antarctica together, it felt like the perfect place for us to finally tie the knot,” Carpenter said, according to the BAS.

“We’ve even had the coordinates of the wedding location engraved into our rings,” he went on.

The area overlooks the mountain peaks and icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula, a sentimental location for the couple.

David Attenborough stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, the first same- sex couple to get married in Antarctic British Territory, pose for a picture, April 24, 2022, in this picture obtained from social media. British Antarctic Survey/ Richard Turner via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. — Bourne and Carpenter plan to keep the celebrations going with a reception next month and a party in Spain later this year.

David Attenborough stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter, the first same- sex couple to get married in Antarctica British Territory, pose for a picture, April 24, 2022, in this picture obtained from social media. British Antarctic Survey/ Richard Turner via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. — The pair’s marriage is also valid in the United Kingdom.

David Attenborough stewards Eric Bourne and Stephen Carpenter tie knot, making it the first same-sex wedding to take place in Antarctica British Territory, April 24, 2022, in this picture obtained from social media. British Antarctic Survey/ Richard Turner via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. — Bourne and Carpenter have been together for two decades.

Bourne and Carpenter registered their marriage with the BAT Government, and it is authentic in the UK.

There is a law that grants legal marriages in the territory that echoes the rules of England and Wales, saying that all couples (regardless of sexual orientation), can apply for a license.

“We’re both very proud to be the first same-sex marriage to happen in British Antarctic Territory,” said Bourne. “BAS is such a welcoming and accepting employer, and we feel very lucky to be able to live and work in such an incredible community and place together.”

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