First Same-Sex Union in Switzerland

The first same-sex couple to tie the knot in Switzerland are 89 and 60 years old, and have been together for 30 years. They registered their partnership on Tuesday in Locarno in the southern Swiss state of Ticino.

"It was very moving. At some point I think we all had tears in our eyes," said Donatella Zappa, a witness at the ceremony.

Zappa, who is also a member of the gay rights group Associazione Imbarco Immediato ("On board now"), told AP the event marked "the beginning of a new period".

The law enables same-sex couples to have the rights every individual should enjoy."

The new law, which was approved by a popular referendum in 2005, does not allow marriage between two people of the same sex, but ensures that gay unions are put on a similar legal standing to that of married couples.

Same-sex couples will receive the same tax and pension status as married couples, but will not be allowed to adopt children or undergo fertility treatment.

More same-sex couples are now lining up to tie the knot.

"The fact that there are couples who have made their union legal and official will serve as a model," said Zappa.