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Happy Anniversary Vincenzo! Lesbian & Gay Nuptuals Four Years Ago in Toronto on Valentine's Day

Marriage License
© Frank H. Jump

Enzo & Frank with Mayor of Toronto, David Miller
Enzo & Frank with Mayor David Miller of Toronto (courtesy of Dr. Erik Marzano).

Italian American Newspaper Covers Gay Wedding on Valentine's Day
“Happy Valentine’s Day: Love is For Everyone!”

Four years ago today when the rest of LGBTQ America was flocking to San Francisco to get married on that fateful Valentine’s Day Weekend, seven American couples decided to go to Toronto where the law was enacted and not likely to be rescinded any time soon. Although most of the SF same-sex marriages were later deemed null and void (sorry Rosie O’Donnell), the weddings still took place and the memories persist. Hopefully the relationships still do as well. Statistically, same-sex marriages last longer that opposite sex marriages. Vincenzo and I have been co-habitating for almost 18 years. This June is our anniversary for our first date.

Our marriage was televised live from Vancouver to Nova Scotia in the morning of February 14, 2004. The ceremony was conducted by The Honourable Judge Harvey Brownstone. Later, there was a reception at City Hall thrown by the Mayor of Toronto David Miller and his staff. We were followed all around town (even into our hotel room) by the local paparazzi. Click here for more pics from the AP news agencies.

The Kiss from Coast to Coast
The Kiss (photo by Mark Peterson)

5 Comments

  1. lidian says:

    Happy anniversary to you both! I’ve spent most of my adult life in Toronto BTW…

  2. A heartwarming post – congratulations and hope all is well with both of you.

  3. fadingad says:

    Thank you Lidian!

    Matthew! Long time no see! How have you been up there in Baseball Hall of Fame country? Hope all is well with you too.

  4. fadingad says:

    Lidian- I really love Toronto. Such a warm (well, it was freezing in Feb when we were there) and friendly town. Seems very progressive. Many different ethnicities and multicultural couplings. We felt very at home, even though we were being chased by the press. We felt like it was an important moment not just for us.

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