Continuing his support for LGBT rights , in 2001 he set up Britain 's first register for same-sex couples ; while falling short of legal marriage rights , the register was seen as a step towards the Civil Partnership Act 2004 .
In 2001 Livingstone set up Britain 's first register for same-sex couples ; while falling short of legal marriage rights , the register was seen as a `` step towards '' such rights . Legal status was later passed by the government through the Civil Partnership Act 2004 .