Last Friday marked the first civil unions between same-sex couples in Queensland history after sixteen gay and lesbian partners tied the knot to the cheers and congratulations of friends, family and members of the public.

Flanked by supporters, each couple lined up outside the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages to officially have their relationship legally recognised. One particularly eager couple arrived at 5am.

According to reports, as each pair left the office with their certificate, they were met with tears of joy from their loved ones and even onlookers and office workers from the surrounding buildings expressed their support through cheers and applause.

One gay couple, Dave Mildren and Collin Dubery, who have been together for 21 years, expressed their delight that they could finally prove and justify their relationship in a legal and official sense.

Talking to press, the couple explained how “it’s a vindication of the way the rest of the country views us. It’s wonderful to have a legal recognition of our relationship, the reason being that for the first time we are confident that we don’t have to prove our relationship.

“Our neighbours recognise our relationship, our siblings recognise our relationship, our friends recognise our relationship, our parents recognise it, and now finally the State will recognise it too.”

On hand to witness the joyful time was Brisbane MP Grace Grace, a key figure in the push for civil unions in the state, who congratulated the couples on their special day:

“Being here with the first couple to register for their ceremony and to see how happy they are, you just know that this was the right legislation and it’s an historic day for Queensland.”