Two white doves were released after the ACT's first legally binding civil partnership ceremony in the rose gardens at Old Parliament House yesterday.
In front of family and friends, Warren McGaw and Chris Rumble pledged to love each other always and be partners for life.
Mr Rumble said the white doves symbolised hope.
''It's a symbol for all gay and lesbian couples that they will one day be able to hold legally recognised unions across the country,'' Mr Rumble said.
It's a wish that may take some years, with the Commonwealth Government considering a veto on the ACT's new laws.
Mr McGaw said holding the ceremony in the House of Representatives rose garden was a reminder to politicians on Capital Hill. ''They need to think long and hard before they make a decision because I think a majority of Australians are behind us. We will be really disappointed and devastated if it does get overturned but we took the opportunity to have the first legally binding ceremony as the law stands today and we couldn't be happier,'' Mr McGaw said.
The pair who celebrate 20 years in a monogamous relationship on December 31 have supported each other through the death of Mr McGaw's father, caring for his ailing grandmother and Mr Rumble's battle with Graves disease.
''Chris almost went blind. He had two operations to fix his bludging eyes ... it was love at first sight and we've been best friends and we love each other so much.''
But the Governor-General has the power to disallow any enactment made by the Legislative Assembly within six months of its passing. This power has been used once to repeal the Civil Unions Act (2006) that allowed same-sex marriage and federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said yesterday the Federal Government had not changed its position.
''There are several steps that have been introduced and implemented in the ACT legislation in an endeavour to distinguish it from a marriage between a man and a woman as is defined in the federal legislation,'' Mr McClelland said.
''We note that, we recognise that and appreciate it. There are some discussions that are occurring on the edge about issues that are essentially on the edge of the processes that the ACT have put in place.''
Any legal ceremonies that take place will stand regardless of the final outcome. Mr McGaw said a legally binding ceremony was more meaningful than a civil union.
''I think it's very important to have a legal binding ceremony just for equality. It's a human rights issue basically. It's for equality, we want to be just like everybody else.''
Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury was thrilled to be a witness at the union. ''When you pass these laws you do it knowing that it's the right thing to do but it meant a lot today to come and be a part of it,'' Mr Rattenbury said.
The ACT Government will announce this morning if it will accept the Federal Government's proposed amendments to the civil partnerships legislation.
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