George Michael, 42, has announced his plans to marry longtime partner Kenny Goss, 47. The two, who have been a couple for nearly ten years, plan to hold a ceremony early next year.

"I'm sure Kenny and I will be doing the old legal thing, but we won't be doing the whole veil and gown thing," Michael said.

The union became possible when the United Kingdom passed the Civil Partnerships Bill last year, giving same-sex couples the right to have legally binding partnerships and entitling them to some of the same tax and pension protections available to married couples.

Michael is the second British rocker to announce marriage plans under the new legislation: Elton John, 58, confirmed that he and partner David Furnish, 43, will wed in a private ceremony on December 21st, the first day same-sex unions become legal in England.