m******8
发帖数: 2153 | 1 中西部也慢慢有希望了
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http://impact.cleveland.com/metro/print.html?entry=/2012/03/gay
Ohio doesn't legally recognize same-sex marriages, but that didn't stop more
than 200 gay and lesbian couples from participating in a Cleveland event
they dubbed an "illegal mass wedding."
The Plain Dealer http://bit.ly/GPHNhv ) reports priests and ministers were on hand Saturday at a shopping center as couples from around Ohio said vows in front of family and friends. Some of the couples wore white dresses and tuxedos, while others donned more casual clothes.
It was part of an event advocating for the state to recognize same-sex
marriages. Promoters said the ceremony could provide paperwork required to
get a marriage license if Ohio law were changed to include gay marriage. | m******8
发帖数: 2153 | 2 CLEVELAND, Ohio — Couples in traditional wedding attire – including some
women in tuxedos – gathered in the Galleria Saturday.
More than 200 gay and lesbian couples from across the state participated in
what they called the "largest illegal mass wedding ever held."
While some were dressed in more casual attire they all had the same
intention: to send a message to the state of Ohio to recognize same-sex
marriage.
Sierra Chapman, 25 and Sandy Thomas, 48, both of Cleveland, recreated a
private service held three years ago.
"We wanted to do this in a joint ceremony with people who are like us," said
Chapman. "My parents are okay with it, but they didn't want to come to
watch."
Hundreds of friends and relatives of the brides and grooms joined the
celebration as eight priests and ministers recited marriage vows to couples
of all ages.
The afternoon ceremony followed more than an hour of speeches by activists
on the steps of Cleveland City Hall, where a gay pride flag flew under the
American flag.
One speaker, Judy Benson of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, said the
move for marital rights is not just cosmetic or symbolic.
gay marriage.JPGView full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerAn excited
couple enters into the area at the Galleria where they will be married in a
mass gay wedding Saturday in Cleveland.
"Old gay couples have problems because the state will not sanction their
marriage like inheritances or social security benefits," she said. "These
are things that are freely given to male-female couples."
Mark Szabo, 31, of Rocky River, later said such rights are denied same sex
couples who have been together for decades, yet would be offered to someone
like "Britney Spears who was married for 55 minutes."
Dr. Rick Starn, 66, and Ron Grey, 56, of Lakewood, said they have been
together for 35 years and were married officially in Massachusetts and
married informally twice in Washington, D.C.
They exchanged vows again in Cleveland to prove a point.
"There are over a thousand benefits available to married couples by the
federal government that are denied to same sex couples," Starn said.
Promoters pointed out that even though Saturday's ceremony is not legal, it
could provide some of the paperwork needed for obtaining a marriage license,
if gay marriage is ever recognized in Ohio. it will provide some of the
paperwork needed for obtaining a marriage license should gay marriage ever
be recognized in Ohio.
Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Maryland, Washington and the District of Columbia.
New Jersey lawmakers recently passed a gay marriage bill, but the governor
vetoed it.
Ed Mullen, executive director of Equality Ohio, said Saturday's mass
marriage may be the biggest ever held.
In a news release, he said the rally and similar public events, such as the
2014 Gay Games in Northeast Ohio, could change attitudes about the gay
community.
Additional information about the marriage rally can be found at Support Gay
Marriage in Ohio Facebook page, or by calling (513) 367-0223.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: m*********[email protected], 216-999-4890 | D**S
发帖数: 24887 | 3 Cleveland is the ONLY hope for Ohio. | m******1
发帖数: 19713 | 4 骄傲！！
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【在 m******8 的大作中提到】
: 中西部也慢慢有希望了
: Pictures
: http://impact.cleveland.com/metro/print.html?entry=/2012/03/gay
: Ohio doesn't legally recognize same-sex marriages, but that didn't stop more
: than 200 gay and lesbian couples from participating in a Cleveland event
: they dubbed an "illegal mass wedding."
: The Plain Dealer http://bit.ly/GPHNhv ) reports priests and ministers were on hand Saturday at a shopping center as couples from around Ohio said vows in front of family and friends. Some of the couples wore white dresses and tuxedos, while others donned more casual clothes.
: It was part of an event advocating for the state to recognize same-sex
: marriages. Promoters said the ceremony could provide paperwork required to
: get a marriage license if Ohio law were changed to include gay marriage.
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