I know that the UK now recognizes same sex marriages but am unclear on the details. Is this the same as a civil union? When did the law go into effect? What was the status legally of same sex couples before this law?

I'm familiar with commitment ceremonies but here in the states by and large the laws protecting same sex relationships are lacking and 'marriage' is limited to one or two places. Civil unions are more usual.

Thanks.

It's not the same as marriage (only Netherlands and Belgium in Europe have this), it's a civil partnership of more limited applicability and probably closer to the "civil union" you mention.

The Civil Partnerships Act 2004 made civil partnerships possible. It came into force in December 2005 (if Pat and Sheena had gone ahead with the civil partnership they discussed in the 2005 BG Christmas special, it would probably have been one of the first ones on UK TV!) Before that there was no legal recognition of gay relationships in the UK, as such, as I understand it.

Website here with more info:

http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/lgbt/partnership.htm