BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The Massachusetts state legislature convened a constitutional convention Wednesday to consider banning gay marriage but allowing civil unions, just over a year after it became the first U.S. state to allow same-sex marriages.

 ;   In what will be officially known as the civil partnership, gay and lesbian couples will from December 5 be able to inform registry offices, which administer civil marriages in Britain, of their intention to affirm their relationship under the law.

    The government has deliberately avoided the word marriage to avoid upsetting religious sensibilities, although the partnerships give couples similar entitlements over tax, pensions and other benefits to those who are married.

    After a 15-day waiting period, the first civil partnerships will be sealed just before Christmas -- with pop singer Elton John having already expressed the wish to become one of the first "married" gay couples with partner David Furnish.

    Since the weddings began taking place, more than 6,100 couples have married, prompting some lawmakers to change their minds about taking away that right.

    "Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry," said state Sen. Brian Lees, a Republican who had been a co-sponsor of the amendment.

    Critics of gay marriage also promised to oppose the amendment so they could push a more restrictive ban.

    "The union of two women and two men can never consummate a marriage. It's physically impossible," said Rep. Phil Travis, a Democrat. "The other 49 states are right and we are wrong."

    Later, equality minister Meg Munn was scheduled to visit Westminster Register Office in central London to launch a publicity campaign for the new scheme. Enditem

    (Agencies)