Celebrating Six Months of Love in Washington State
Same-sex couples began joyfully marrying in Washington state six months ago this week. The couples, some having waited decades for the opportunity, many with children and extended families in tow, celebrated their love as a welcoming community cheered them on. Re-live the moment through some of the thousands of #MEDayWA tweets marking the occasion, and see through these first-hand accounts how profoundly meaningful the freedom to marry is for the couples, their families, friends and supporters.
December 6 – First Marriage Licenses Issued
After decades of issuing marriage licenses to other couples, Clark County’s manager of marriage licensing Paul Harris (right) and his partner of 40 years James Griener are finally issued a marriage license of their own.
autumnyte: James Griener (left) and Paul Harris were the first couple in Clark County to get a marriage licen… http://t.co/bYXhBrFF
— Moonstruck Chel (@MoonstruckQuest) December 8, 2012
Jane Lighty (77) and Pete-e Petersen (85), together 35 years, receive the first marriage license in King County.
Jane Lighty and Pete-e Petersen embrace with the first marriage license at 12:01 AM #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/bIfvmz5p
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 6, 2012
Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer (70), a pioneer in the struggle to allow open service for LGBT soldiers, and her partner of 24 years Diane Divelbess (77) were among the first to receive a marriage licenses in Island County.
Thanks to @SeattleGayNews I'm in Island County to photograph Col Cammermeyer signing her marriage license! #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/eJvAqUdg
— Richard Wood (@RL_Wood) December 6, 2012
Kelly Middleton and Amanda Dollente, of Auburn, got here at 4 pm. They're first in line. Gates open at 10. #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/30uVwM1U
— Brian M. Rosenthal (@brianmrosenthal) December 6, 2012
Best picture of the night, so far. It's a happy scene out here. #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/jNuvN7C3
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 6, 2012
December 9 – Marriages Commence!
On bus to get married at City Hall. People cheered us. #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/VoFxwl87
— Peter Shalit (@Piesco) December 9, 2012
Marriage Equality in #WA state for the first time today, including my brother @piesco! live stream #MEdayWA
— Willa Shalit (@willashalit) December 9, 2012
Deb and Nancy have spent their whole life together (14 years) on standby, now they are on standby at City Hall #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/Hk7tAM87
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 9, 2012
KLEENEX! Mountains of kleenex @ WEDDING DAY Seattle City Hall #MeDayWa pic.twitter.com/YAMDrY5E
— tammy luthy (@whocanstandit) December 9, 2012
Here’s one reason why those Kleenex were needed. Video by Florangela Davila
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Judge Mary Yu and her very proud staff conducted 13 weddings on that first night. “We should all make it our goal to be that devoted to love and work that hard for equality,” bailiff Takao Yamada (left) tweeted.
Judge Yu and her very proud staff #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/ud86cnzx
— Takao Yamada (@TakaoYamada25) December 9, 2012
"I will" #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/AP944VUc
— Takao Yamada (@TakaoYamada25) December 9, 2012
One big beautiful family up very late #MEDayDWA pic.twitter.com/WmDDLo5V
— Takao Yamada (@TakaoYamada25) December 9, 2012
Karen & Lynn from Duvall getting married after 18 years. #MEDayWA @kiro7seattle pic.twitter.com/lKT4k4LC
— DeborahHorne (@DeborahKIRO7) December 9, 2012
More Kleenex needed if you view Matt Stopera‘s photo essay 18 Joyful Declarations Of Love From Newlyweds In Seattle.
Another thing I did in Seattle, this time with a sketchbook. 18 joyful declarations of love from newlyweds: http://t.co/iMmjFlBf
— Matt Stopera (@mattstopera) December 10, 2012
Mary Davidson, left, & Monica Rozgay were one of the first same-sex couples to marry (they looked gorgeous!) #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/N3PympI3
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 9, 2012
“Yay Gay Cupcakes”
Someone had the forthought to leave baskets of emergency beauty/dress repair supplies in the ladies room. Well played. #MEdayWA
— Charlotte Peters (@suchsharpteeth) December 9, 2012
Overheard, a volunteer: “this is one of the best things I’ve ever done.” #MEdayWA
— City of Seattle (@CityofSeattle) December 9, 2012
The community joined in the celebration in a big way.
Folks who made flower arrangements to pass out to couples. Such community love! #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/552it4RJ
— Alex Wakeman Rouse (@awakedawg) December 9, 2012
Little girl pelting newlyweds with flowers is adorable! http://t.co/gWKnVmSR #MEDayWA
— Forrest (@fbaum) December 9, 2012
Orkestar Zirkonium and a great crowd of supporters greets newlyweds as they come down the grand stairs. #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/6WRQw6pd
— City of Seattle (@CityofSeattle) December 9, 2012
So overjoyed for all the #love in the air today. Never been more proud to be a #washingtonian-Love wins!! #MEDayWA #LoveMyCity
— Kylie Rolf (@KylieRolf) December 9, 2012
I will spend my day watching the #MEDayWA feed, in a perpetual state of giant smile/almost crying–happy wedding day! Keep the photos comin!
— Darcy Camden (@darcycamden) December 9, 2012
Eruptions of applause are happening all over City Hall as each couple gets pronounced married. #MEDayWA
— GSBA (@GSBA) December 9, 2012
I'm already crying looking at all of the pics being posted from #MEDayWA I'm gonna need more tissues this afternoon.
— Shibaguyz (@Shibaguyz) December 9, 2012
A kid named Ethan and his flowers. #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/QBfxSar2
— that comanche guy (@alexjon) December 9, 2012
He got the nickname "ninja Cupid" #MEDayWa pic.twitter.com/GPrKARCy
— that comanche guy (@alexjon) December 9, 2012
My favorite couple married today. Together 36 years. Check out those shoes. @ Seattle City Hall http://t.co/Oc8XYvQD
— Matt Stopera (@mattstopera) December 10, 2012
The people of Seattle are your receiving line #MEDayWA pic.twitter.com/FR8uVj3E
— Robert Cruickshank (@cruickshank) December 9, 2012
Feeling oh so happy after spending a few hours on the steps of Seattle City Hall cheering on the newlyweds. #MEdayWA #lovewins #equality
— Beth (@bethmv) December 9, 2012
In the pics for #MEDayWA, there's a sign that says "Congrats & Sorry it took this long" – that brings a happy tear to my eyes.
— Rob Roland (@robdaemon) December 9, 2012
I heard the cheering of this receiving line crowd two blocks away! #MEdayWA http://t.co/dElsekVP
— kenna (@pipifelix) December 9, 2012
This crowd's been cheering for *five hours*: obviously, we need a gay football team! #MEDayWA
— Forrest (@fbaum) December 9, 2012
Thrilled re: #MEDayWA events, but hadn't yet cried. What did it? A 20 y/o on Tumblr happy for her dads, who've been together her whole life.
— Texty (@textualdeviance) December 9, 2012
Congrats to our own Det. Peth! RT“@mayormcginn: Just posted a photo http://t.co/JpMl8TCn” #MEdayWA
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) December 10, 2012
I love that @seattlePD is tweeting in support of #medaywa. How awesome is that?
— Karrie Kohlhaas (@ThoughtShot) December 9, 2012
Last couple to get hitched at the hall (with cheering Hawks fans who stopped by post game!) This is awesome! #MEDayWA http://t.co/0H5dCjwd
— Laura Onstot (@lonstot) December 10, 2012
I'm in the background of so many City Hall wedding photos! Kinda neat. Photobombing that will be in history books. #MEDayWA
— that comanche guy (@alexjon) December 10, 2012
The Seattle Gay Men’s and Women’s Choruses paused their concert so that chorus members Jane Lighty and Pete-e Petersen could marry, and chorus member Neil Hoyt could marry his partner of 24 years, Donald Jenny.
Congrats to Jane and Pete-e – here is their first legal wedding kiss at Benaroya Hall #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/Nb5mOQC6
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 10, 2012
Officially LEGALLY married! Thank you Washington! #MEdayWA pic.twitter.com/dpWuzhDV
— Marley Blonsky (@MarleyBlonsky) December 10, 2012
King County processed 1,692 marriage licenses in December, up 222% over Dec. 2011. #MEDayWA
— King County, WA (@kcnews) January 3, 2013
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