This British ‘same-sex’ couple just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

You might think same-sex marriage has only just started – but one British ‘same-sex’ couple have just celebrated 25 years since they tied the knot.

Malcolm and Sharon Cain, of Wednesbury in the West Midlands, married in October 1989, at Sandwell Register Office in West Bromwich.

The pair didn’t discover until 2010 that Sharon, who is a cisgender woman, had actually been recorded as male at birth – meaning they technically have been in a same-sex marriage for a quarter of a century.

She told the Birmingham Mail: “When we discovered the error we had to laugh.

“I even had to go to my GP, who almost fell off his chair, when I asked him to write to the Registrar General as part of official evidence they needed in order for the certificate to be modified.”

The couple celebrated their anniversary this week with a vow renewal, carried out by Superintendent Registrar Paul Sheldon – who performed the first ceremony, 25 years ago.

Mr Sheldon said: “It was marvellous to oversee the celebration a quarter of a century after marrying them. They really are a unique couple and we were delighted to invite Malcolm and Sharon back for the ceremony.”

Earlier this year, Kim Walmsley, 49, who has been married to husband Jack for 23 years, had her marriage voided over a similar birth certificate mix-up.