Article George Michael to Get Hitched to Longtime Partner

[George Michael]

Following in Elton John’s footsteps, pop star and gay icon George Michael has announced he plans to wed his partner of nearly 10 years, Kenny Goss, in a ceremony early next year.

The couple told Rolling Stone they plan to wed in a small private ceremony. 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.

"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.

Michael added that he wants to get married because he could get hit by a bus and Goss could end up with nothing. Michael came out in 1998 after being arrested in Los Angeles for performing a “lewd act” in a public restroom.

Michael, the former lead singer of Wham!, also had hugely successful solo carrer in the late ’80s and ’90s with hits including “Father Figure”, “Faith” and “Fast Love.” In 2004, he announced he would not release any more albums and that any new music he makes will be available online.