Copenhagen Gay Life (CGL) is an independent organisation of businesses and non-profit organisations owned and/or run by gay men and women or with gays and lesbians as their main interest groups.
The organisation is non-profit and works to: - promote Copenhagen as a gay destination to international and national tourists - make the stay in Copenhagen more enjoyable for international and national tourists - improve the co-operation and communication between gay-oriented businesses and non-profit organisations in Copenhagen - improve the gay life and options for tourists and Copenhageners
NEWS PAN Club Copenhagen closed as gay club April 15, 2007 One of Europe's biggest gay discos from 1980 to 2007
Dr Hal Gladfelder
26-04-07 English researcher makes a historical discovery The Thomas Cannon Tract from 1749 "Excerpts from a 258-year-old book written by what is thought to be the first ever advocate for gay rights have been discovered by a University of Manchester academic Dr. Hal Gladfelder.".."Unnatural desire is a contradiction in terms; downright nonsense. Desire is an amatory impulse of the inmost human parts." --Excerpt from Ancient and Modern Pederasty Investigated and Exemplified, published in 1749 and immediately suppressed, as contained in a recently discovered handwritten court indictment of the author. The Thomas Cannon Tract from 1749
Copenhagen Denmark - gay spot of Europe. Official tourist poster from 1947 by Hans Bendix
The 23rd of June 1948 the first Danish gay society, Forbundet af 1948, was founded by Axel Axgil. Soon after a Norwegian and Swedish section under F-48 followed. F-48 was very successful and had 1.339 members in 1951 and when Axgil stepped down as chairman in 1952 it had reached the world record of 2600. More information in English here: 1st Partnership Page
Gay in DK: Gay in decay?
Danish gay activists have won many political fights for equality during the last 20 years. Where do these victories leave us today? Are there still battles to be fought? What are the objectives? And at what costs are they achieved? This article presents you with an overview of the different positions and aims in Danish gay politics today.Read more here lbl.dk Gay Politics
First gay couple to marry was Axel (left) and Eigil Axgil
Denmark first to allow gays and lesbians to marry
In what has been hailed as a fundamental turning point in the fight for gay and lesbian equality, 11 gay-male couples were legally married Oct. 1, 1989 in the Copenhagen Town Hall. Denmark is the first country in the world to allow gay/lesbian marriage and this was the day the new law took effect. The grooms included a high school teacher, a Lutheran minister and a school psychologist.
Eigil and Axel Axgil, Oct. 1, 1989
The full text of Denmark's civil gay marriage ceremony. "As you have made an application to the Copenhagen city hall in order to get your partnership lawfully registered, your wish will now be fulfilled. With this registration you will -- with few exceptions -- obtain the same social security as married people in Danish society. Before performing the registration, the municipality wishes to remind you of the meaning and importance of the promise you are giving each other. Registered partnership implies in general a pledge to live together in mutual affection, helpfulness and tolerance.In recognition of this, the municipality expresses the wish that throughout your partnership, with all its changes, you will preserve the good intentions, to live together in a harmonious and meaningful fellowship. I ask you (Name), do you take (Name) to be your lawful partner? Likewise, I ask you (Name), do you take (Name) to be your lawful registered partner? After you now solemnly declared your desire to enter into registered partnership with each other, I hereby ask you to sign."
Same-sex marriage
Registered Partnership is a same-sex marriage, as it is entered into by two people of the same gender. Apart from that, the requirements of becoming registered are the same as for getting married. An application to become registered as partners must be filled out and handed in to the municipality, and upon registration a Partnership Certificate is issued. Foreigners - take note! Registered Partnership can only be performed if: - at least one of the partners is a Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Icelandic citizen living in Denmark for at least two years, or - if both partners have been living in Denmark for at least two years.Check out the pamphlet Registered Partnership – when your girlfriend or boyfriend is not a Danish Citizen by the LBL-Asylum Group – or write them, if you have questions. Registration Registration is performed by the mayor or his deputy, in the same manner as he would a traditional heterosexual marriage. Registration can take place in any given city/municipality, even if none of the partners live in that city or municipality. (E.g. if the partners have their home in Copenhagen but find Odense terribly romantic, then there is no problem getting registered in Odense!) Legal effects and adoption Registered partnership has the same legal effects as marriage. However, registered partners cannot adopt children together, but one partner can adopt the child(ren) of the other partner. Registered partners have the same right of inheritance as married partners. Church blessing Though not obligated to by law, many pastors in the Folkekirke (the Danish national church) perform church blessings of registered partnership. – And many do not! Some statistics: Since 1989 10.073 persons in Denmark are or have been involved in a registered partnership. Source: Statistics Denmark and LBL calculations more here
This site is under continious construction, please come back for a visit. English translation of other pages on this site will follow.
Dr Hal Gladfelder 
Copenhagen Denmark - gay spot of Europe. Official tourist poster from 1947 by Hans Bendix 
First gay couple to marry was Axel (left) and Eigil Axgil
Eigil and Axel Axgil, Oct. 1, 1989