Comments on: Reading the news has been rough this week. Here's some good news.

Reading the news has been rough this week. Here's some good news.

schmod — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:33:01 -0800

Early this morning, the law that legalized Same-Sex Marriage in New York State went into effect, with many couples choosing to tie the knot at the stroke of midnight. In New York City, the city clerk will be working overtime to process marriage licenses for the 823 same-sex couples expected to wed there today, having adding extra capacity to ensure that all couples who signed up in advance would not be turned away. LGBT weddings are expected to bring an additional $155 million in tourism revenues into the state over the next 12 months, and governor Andrew Cuomo's approval ratings are currently the highest of any US state governor following the passage of the bill.

By: Fister Roboto

Fister Roboto — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:39:22 -0800

This is a wonderful thing, and so refreshing to hear about.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:46:10 -0800

Hey, I didn't realize today was the big day. Where I live, the law changed what seems like ages now. I should think most kids coming of adult age have always assumed anyone can get married to anyone. Well, congratulations to a State with a population about the size of my Nation, on a step in the right direction! Whoo-hoo! Happy people in love! It's the greatest thing ever! Congratulations!

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:48:07 -0800

Touchscreen typing renders me nearly incoherent. Sorry.

By: roomthreeseventeen

roomthreeseventeen — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:51:48 -0800

Manhattan's first legally married gay couple. They've been together 23 years.

By: mermayd

mermayd — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:54:14 -0800

Nice bit of good news! Love the old couple, Bless them

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:55:55 -0800

Hey, the sky hasn't fallen, nor has my own hetersexual marriage been threatened. It's a miracle!

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:00:06 -0800

It's a beautiful day. Best wishes to The Whelk and all other couples who are and will soon be getting married.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:01:05 -0800

I didn't know what to expect, but I should have known New York's Ankh-Morpkian side would come out, News crews (I bumped into Wriggle from the Daily Show!) photo booths free flags and brides brides brides! Water being handed out by reps of gay honeymoon and travel companies with only 2 crazy sidewalk preachers and lots of sign-holding and smiles and rainbows. Every shade of lavender that could exist, did exist. It was like an Easter Parade. Lots of kids and whole families too. First thought "Wow there are some good looking men here." Second thought "You are a bad person and will go to hell forever." INSANELY helpful and efficient staff and volunteers. The whole thing look an hour despite the line curling around the building. We slightly flummoxed the judge by not having rings When you left there was a squad of Cheerers to throw confetti and clap and a street performer playing Pacobel's canon and it was just ....really nice. Also

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:02:06 -0800

(also wouldn't the marriage license line be like the worst place to run into an ex?)

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:02:11 -0800

Hey, the sky hasn't fallen, nor has my own hetersexual marriage been threatened. It's a miracle! Well, my wife and I quibbled over who should pick up the Sunday Times this morning. I blame the gays, of course. And the liberal media. Congratulations, New York!

By: louche mustachio

louche mustachio — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:02:44 -0800

FAVORITE ADDED!!!!

By: jonmc

jonmc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:03:50 -0800

I remeber joking to a freind that formal wear sales were gonna go throthru the roof. But with this heatwave, I'm sure many have said 'screw the damn tuxedos, it's too fucking hot."

By: mannequito

mannequito — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:06:33 -0800

(also wouldn't the marriage license line be like the worst place to run into an ex?) nah, that'd be the STD clinic

By: gemmy

gemmy — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:06:45 -0800

Congrats, The Whelk! I loved this story today about the two little twins that were acting as volunteer flower girls for anyone who wanted them to. I'm sure I'm not alone in needing some good news to counteract all the bad out of Norway, so this really makes me happy. Way to go, New York!

By: schmod

schmod — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:07:24 -0800

(also wouldn't the marriage license line be like the worst place to run into an ex?) No. It would be the worst place to run into two of your exes.

By: Lulu's Pink Converse

Lulu's Pink Converse — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:07:47 -0800

A friend, a rabbi, is officiating weddings at the Brooklyn Borough Hall today. If you're Jewish and getting hitched, go see her, she's cool. And congratulations to everyone! Just what the world needs - MOAR LOVE! with apologies to the Dixie Chicks for mangling their lovely song

By: maurice

maurice — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:08:50 -0800

Here in Syracuse, City Hall opened to issue marriage licenses on Sunday. My wife and I went joined others there in applauding those getting licenses. There was a single, creepy protester outside who videotaped those coming out of the building but folks seemed to handle that okay. It was a wonderful experience.

By: palmcorder_yajna

palmcorder_yajna — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:11:09 -0800

Congratulations, The Whelk! It's about time we had some good news around here!

By: strixus

strixus — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:11:44 -0800

Congrats, The Whelk, and all others. As a sort of New Yorker by proxy this makes me so proud. It also makes me horribly ashamed of my state that we haven't done this yet.

By: thomas j wise

thomas j wise — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:13:15 -0800

Congratulations, The Whelk!

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:13:57 -0800

(oh and I was trying to fob the whole thing off as a legal loophole but my hands were shaking pretty hard during the "write your name in the box" part.)

By: rtha

rtha — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:17:29 -0800

Congratulations, everyone!

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:22:12 -0800

(also wouldn't the marriage license line be like the worst place to run into an ex?) No. It would be the worst place to run into two of your exes. Let's see... you're there in the marriage license line because... you have someone you love and you're getting married? And your ex, or your two exes, are also in line because they've found people they love (maybe each other?) and are getting married? Sounds like a rather celebratory place to run into anyone with whom you've been involved and it didn't work out. Knowing that after time passes, it eventually DOES work out? That's the best news of all for all concerned. Also... The Whelk got married? Wow. Good on him. I guess I'll have to stop flirting with him in MeMail now.

By: bitter-girl.com

bitter-girl.com — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:23:35 -0800

Awww, volunteer flower girls! This is so awesome! Congrats!

By: _paegan_

_paegan_ — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:29:22 -0800

This post makes me so happy, I've got tears. Congrats, The Whelk. I'm in Phoenix; when they say "when Hell freeze over...", they mean Arizona.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:31:01 -0800

whatya mean stop? (Two of exes got married on Iowa actually, and they met independent of me. Small world)

By: mintcake!

mintcake! — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:32:11 -0800

Whelk! Happy wedding day!

By: Ayn Rand and God

Ayn Rand and God — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:32:42 -0800

This pictures really make me happy. More than I expected. I love the 4 year old flower girls. That picture got me all teary eyed, and I remembered something I don't think a lot about. When I was 5 years old I went to the first wedding I can remember. My aunt Lourdes was marrying her boyfriend of 2 years. Like any 5 year old, I asked many questions, and they got the standard answers: Lourdes loves Hector very much, and this wedding is to tell their families, friends, the government, and God that they want to be together for the rest of their life and start a family. We are here to celebrate that. Then I asked why my aunt Nelida hadn't married her girlfriend first, since they had been living together for 15 years, which is longer than forever, and I had seen them kissing. I got in trouble that day, as did Nelly, who had to explain to me that she and Amelia were not girlfriends, that they lived together because Nelly got very sick at night and Amelia was a nurse. And it was not a kiss what I saw, it was Amelia checking Nelly's temperature on her lips. I was very confused for a long time, and now I cringe when I think about what me and my family made my aunt go through that day. Nelly died many years ago, she did not get to see gay marriage legalized in Mexico City. She went through a lot of trouble at the end, spending a lot of her money on lawyers to fight my uncles' lawyers just to make sure that Amelia could keep the house, land and corner shop after Nelly herself died. They stayed together longer than 3 out of 5 straight marriages in my extended family, and after Nelly's death Amelia still nursed a few of my relatives on their deathbeds. When my grandmother died, we were all paralyzed in the room, hoping for her to take one more breath and come back to life. Amelia was the one that wiped the sweaty hair of my grandmothers forehead, closed her eyes and crossed her hands over her chest. None of my uncles thanked her. I am so happy for all the people today.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:32:52 -0800

(and yeah, congrats Whelkmeister.)

By: Ayn Rand and God

Ayn Rand and God — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:33:28 -0800

And congrats the Whelk!

By: Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory

Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:37:00 -0800

Look at these couples, all happy and in love. its enough to make you sick, bah humbug! And you definitely don't want to go read all the amazing personal stories over at the new york times city blog - why can't these gay people just be miserable like the rest of us?

By: ArmyOfKittens

ArmyOfKittens — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:37:37 -0800

This is a fantastic day! Pictures of newlyweds keep rolling off twitter and every one gives me a happy. And congratulations to The Whelk! I won't harp on this, but if there is anyone of influence out there, please try to keep up the momentum on behalf of trans people in New York, who are still in need of employment and housing protections.

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:37:47 -0800

Yep, this sounds like Andy. (He's a good friend of mine and my husband's from college.)

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:39:00 -0800

why can't these gay people just be miserable like the rest of us? Because they're fabulous and you're not?

By: marsha56

marsha56 — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:40:56 -0800

Wow! Wonderful news. Congratulations Whelk !!!!!!

By: orange swan

orange swan — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:49:06 -0800

Congratulations, Whelk!! I loved this story today about the two little twins that were acting as volunteer flower girls for anyone who wanted them to. I've offered repeatedly to be a flowerswan for anyone's wedding and no one has taken me up on it yet. What is it, people? Is the orange swan costume too much? Would the orange rose petals I'd insist on scattering before you and your beloved make too much of a mess? Or is just because I'm not five-years-old, cute and a twin? Come on, I can take it [sulks].

By: Zalzidrax

Zalzidrax — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:50:10 -0800

I wasn't expecting it to affect me that much, but goddamn if it doesn't bring tears to my eyes to hear such good news for once. Congratulations to The Whelk and all of the newlyweds!

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:52:54 -0800

Mazel Tov, Whelk!

By: kenko

kenko — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:53:54 -0800

Congrats to The Whelk!

By: orange swan

orange swan — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:02:45 -0800

Someone on my Facebook Friends list linked to this picture of the very first couple to be married under the new law. There is such triumph and joy on their faces, and in their body language that it brings a lump to my throat... but happy as I am for them I am equally deeply sorry that they had to wait so long.

By: MuChao

MuChao — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:05:50 -0800

Congrats Whelk! And congrats to all the newly wed or soon-to-be newly wed couples! Yay! Go New York!

By: lalex

lalex — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:08:20 -0800

In Niagara Falls, the water was specially lit for the occasion.

By: Avenger

Avenger — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:09:53 -0800

But .... but ... The Whelk .... what about your Metafilter spouses? We haven't even consummated our fake online sham marriage!

By: kenko

kenko — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:16:48 -0800

We haven't even consummated our fake online sham marriage! That will just make it easier to be annulled.

By: Sys Rq

Sys Rq — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:17:38 -0800

In Niagara Falls, the water was specially lit for the occasion. A nice thought, but I'm pretty sure it's lit up like that every night.

By: Renoroc

Renoroc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:24:30 -0800

The people of NY were ready and it makes great economic sense to boot. I bet marijuana legalization comes next...

By: something something

something something — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:34:19 -0800

I'm not really an emotional person but every time I see or read anything about this, I cry. What an awesome time to be alive.

By: scody

scody — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:42:49 -0800

Fantastic! So nice to have something to celebrate today, to trade some joyful tears for the sorrowful ones. Congrats to the Whelk and to all of New York!!

By: wiskunde

wiskunde — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:46:54 -0800

Congratulations to The Whelk and all of the happy couples! May each of you have many more wonderful years together!

By: melissam

melissam — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:47:59 -0800

Congrads to all those getting married. Too bad Cuomo is taking credit for this to distract from his move to allow potentially hazardous fracking for natural gas.

By: Maias

Maias — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:03:48 -0800

Yay, some much needed good news indeed! The flower girls and all the couples' pix made me cry. Mazel Tov, Whelk et al.!!

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:05:28 -0800

About damned time.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:10:30 -0800

Oh, and congratulations, The Whelk!

By: nevercalm

nevercalm — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:11:32 -0800

A nice thought, but I'm pretty sure it's lit up like that every night. I heard on NPR yesterday that they had changed the lighting to commemorate the start of equal marriage in NY.

By: BlahLaLa

BlahLaLa — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:20:42 -0800

It's totally homo-riffic, and I'm ashamed and pissed that it's not legal in my state.

By: brujita

brujita — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:23:24 -0800

Mazel Tov to everyone! Whelk, where's a picture of you with your groom?

By: justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow

justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:24:34 -0800

I can't think of anything clever to say so I'll just grin and possibly dance a little.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:29:16 -0800

(Spouse A is now saying I just married him for his gadget connections)

By: Space Kitty

Space Kitty — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:29:23 -0800

The Whelk made me cry. Congrats to all the newly married! *Taps foot, looks at California, waits*

By: hurdy gurdy girl

hurdy gurdy girl — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:31:14 -0800

The title of this post is very apt. It's nice to hear some international news that isn't sad for once. Congratulations, The Whelk!

By: Doublewhiskeycokenoice

Doublewhiskeycokenoice — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:02:02 -0800

Next round at Li Po's on me, The Whelk!

By: biscotti

biscotti — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:16:30 -0800

Congratulations The Whelk and Spouse Of The Whelk! Live happily ever after! I only wish you could have done this before now (if you'd wanted to), and that there weren't still bigoted fools trying to tell you you shouldn't be able to. I am SO happy things are finally getting right, it's about damned time!

By: fake

fake — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:18:01 -0800

I am so happy for all of you. And I am proud of you, New York.

By: His thoughts were red thoughts

His thoughts were red thoughts — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:22:29 -0800

Congrats, The Whelk! I am very happy for you! And for everyone else! Wheeeee! Good news!

By: His thoughts were red thoughts

His thoughts were red thoughts — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:23:58 -0800

Congratulations The Whelk and Spouse Of The Whelk! Are there, or will there be children, that we can call 'The Whelklets'?

By: sueinnyc

sueinnyc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:24:37 -0800

Wonderful news (and great images). Congratulations, The Whelk!

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:27:26 -0800

So happy for you, my internet spouse. This is awesome. I kinda choked up this AM when I saw the photo of the first couple in Manhattan to get married -- they'd waited so long.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:29:48 -0800

Are there, or will there be children, that we can call 'The Whelklets'? El Whelkito. La Whelkissima. Das Whelklein. I have nicknames ready for all of them.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:30:22 -0800

Unless The Whelk uses El Whelkito as his nickname for his penis. In which case, I won't use that for one of his kids, too.

By: easily confused

easily confused — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:34:37 -0800

Congrats to The Whelk and Mr. Whelk! (I vote for The Whelklings.....)

By: FelliniBlank

FelliniBlank — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:35:55 -0800

Mazel tov, The Whelk and The Whelk's Ol' Ball and Chain! I'm not really an emotional person but every time I see or read anything about this, I cry. Tell me about it. All those pics have me weeping with vicarious joy, and I don't even believe in legal marriage. But today I feel like gay marrying you all!

By: SuzySmith

SuzySmith — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:48:13 -0800

A nice thought, but I'm pretty sure it's lit up like that every night. Not in a rainbow pattern, they don't. They are lit up one color, then fades to the next. Congratulations to all couples, especially The Whelks, on being able to marry today. I'm all teary eyed here.

By: snsranch

snsranch — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:54:59 -0800

The Whelk, you are too cute/handsome for words! Big hugs to you and everyone else who can now be legally recognized as loving couples...and keepers!

By: LMGM

LMGM — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:55:28 -0800

[insert ululation here] Mazel tov / congrats / felicidades / etc. to all the wedded queer folks! Don't forget the rest of us non-pair-bonded queers...

By: slapshot57

slapshot57 — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:55:41 -0800

So glad for all of you who can now do what my fiance and I are going to do here in nyc in three weeks. Congrats! So glad for us that we booked our venue and caterers before the coming deluge of happy couples, and pity the poor hetereosexual couples who now have more competition for this wonderful city ;-)

By: Pallas Athena

Pallas Athena — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:58:52 -0800

Congratulations to Mr. and Mr. Whelk! Long may you swive. ...Although this law puts me in a bit of a spot, since my answer to nosey enquiries about my own marital status has always been "I'm not getting married until my brother can." Now he can, in both his hometown and his state of residence. I guess that means I have to get married? Any takers?

By: KathrynT

KathrynT — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:01:57 -0800

Congratulations to The Whelk and Mr. The Whelk! Husbands and Husbands! Everybody play ping pong!

By: FelliniBlank

FelliniBlank — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:03:57 -0800

OK, show of hands -- how many of you just MeFi spoused Pallas Athena?

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:14:02 -0800

Oh, so spoused. I'm such a sap -- or it's the onions, or something, but damn I love a wedding. Love is such a powerful thing. Aside: Back when SF was first doing same-sex marriages at the courthouse, there was a fantastic blog somewhere with many wonderful photos of happy couples on the courthouse steps. I thought I had it bookmarked, but can't turn it up any more. Does anyone recall this?

By: His thoughts were red thoughts

His thoughts were red thoughts — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:27:10 -0800

Are there, or will there be children, that we can call 'The Whelklets'? El Whelkito. La Whelkissima. Das Whelklein. I have nicknames ready for all of them. Let's just keep it simple, and call the whole family "The Whelkosity"

By: rtha

rtha — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:27:11 -0800

If you're a total sentimental sap like me, you'll love this slideshow video thing my friend Chris put together. Watching it might cause dust to fly into your eyes.

By: yellowcandy

yellowcandy — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:51:10 -0800

My SO and I are New York residents and while we're happy to be able to get married here, we'd like to be able to drive a few miles west and still be recognized as a legally married couple. So hooray for New York! (And a serious hooray at that.) But we're nowhere near equal yet.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:54:59 -0800

Let's just keep it simple, and call the whole family "The Whelkosity" What is the collective noun? A flutter of Whelks?

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:00:45 -0800

Oh, no, wait. I remember now. The collective noun is "a lawrence".

By: DarlingBri

DarlingBri — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:06:42 -0800

My aunts* got married today! My mother rang to ask if my folks could come throw rice but were told no - that they were eloping and would do a big celebration party in March. Which is too fucking right because in March, they will have been together 20 years. 20 years is a long fucking time to wait. Congrats The Whelk and Mr The Whelk! *Not really, more my sister's godmothers, but you know how messy and un-orderly we are in our BIG FAMILY OF GAYS.

By: flyingsquirrel

flyingsquirrel — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:29:28 -0800

So freaking awesome on every level imaginable! I've always loved being a New Yorker -- now more than ever. And to The Whelk I say, mazel tov and huzzah! That smile on your sweet face speaks volumes. Which is the whole point, innit?

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:31:33 -0800

Are there, or will there be children, that we can call 'The Whelklets'? Whelkwhelps.

By: sotonohito

sotonohito — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:36:06 -0800

Six down, forty four to go! Congrats to all the people in New York who can get married, and to all the people who traveled there to get married. Good news is in short supply, and this is unadulterated good news.

By: jeoc

jeoc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:42:29 -0800

FUCKYEAHGAYMARRIAGE!

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:44:29 -0800

I can feel it! I can feel a threat to my marriage! No, wait, that's just gas. Of course, the gas could be a threat to my marriage. (Mazel tov, Messrs. The Whelk!)

By: byanyothername

byanyothername — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:44:56 -0800

I'm all weepy and smiling at all the pictures, too (especially the couples in matching or complimentary outfits) and I don't have any wit or wisdom to add, but I did want to say this makes me happy. I hope the rest of the country sees this and smiles--melt the heartland of America, New York.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:48:19 -0800

melt the heartland of America, New York. Since none of those Iowa gay marriages have had any effect at all...

By: byanyothername

byanyothername — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:48:21 -0800

(And gentle, genuine congrats to The Whelk and his husband!) (Typing the last part of that made me smile.)

By: byanyothername

byanyothername — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:50:20 -0800

Since none of those Iowa gay marriages have had any effect at all... I'll sacrifice anything for a good pun. But really, six out of fifty is pretty terrible.

By: byanyothername

byanyothername — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:50:48 -0800

Gah! I meant bad pun. I'll sacrifice anything for a bad pun.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:58:48 -0800

There is no such thing as a bad pun. There are only unappreciative audiences.

By: TheWhiteSkull

TheWhiteSkull — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:01:28 -0800

The Whelk, Felicitations, Mazel tov, Omedito gozaimasu! New York, Better late than never!

By: kinnakeet

kinnakeet — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:19:07 -0800

I don't feel so much elated as relieved, as in, "this is the way things should have been a long, long time ago." Better late than never. Mazel tov Whelk, Mr. W., and all other happy summer couples! Congratulations and much throwing of imaginary (and therefore eco-friendly) sparkly holographic rice!!!

By: arcticseal

arcticseal — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:42:15 -0800

Congratulations to everyone who got married today. I hope the Whelks have many years of happiness and joy together. I vote for Whelklets.

By: Librarygeek

Librarygeek — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:42:27 -0800

Congrats to The Whelk and hubby and all other NewYorkers :) MD's next round in the gay marriage fight will be modeled on NY's successful bill. Here's hoping it works for us, we came painfully close this year. :/ And to echo AoK, here's to people waking up and realizing we need to treat people equally and ensure rights and protections for TGs in the community.

By: Great Swell

Great Swell — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:04:00 -0800

Well, it was quite a day, understandably, being a part of history. In this fantastic day, I have little to complain about, except ... When the female judge said I had to obey, I really did have to disrupt said history, and though my thought was, "just say yes". --- could not do it. A lady judge! What was she thinking? Happpily, she took the point and remeniced about her own wedding, and the then "obey" clause. How she did actually just say yes and not mean it. All is well that ends well, and this is one content household tonight. Oh, not the mariage --- I fixed the A/C in our bedroom. We wil "sleep well" tonight! Many reasons........

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:06:23 -0800

We're the Swell-Whelks.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:18:36 -0800

Or is that the past tense... swollen? *ducking*

By: eunoia

eunoia — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:24:02 -0800

Yay! (If you click on the pictures, there's audio from each couple.) Congratulations to everyone. For fucking serious.

By: pointless_incessant_barking

pointless_incessant_barking — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:26:06 -0800

Congratulations to all the happy couples (Whelkoid and otherwise) in New York today! May your marriages be happy, peaceful and beautiful -- together.

By: Great Swell

Great Swell — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:03:12 -0800

The midia, as usual, did not convey the atmoshere in the clerk's office. It was palpable -- nervousness, low blood sugar, tiredness, heat weary, but not at all the least, with utter joy. Screams of excitement with every exit from a judge's chamber (inside the building, what you wpnt see). Shouting gallery at the exit. Amazing. And I shall admit that I entered us into the lottery almost as a joke. Who knew that someimes the good guys win. We did!

By: Great Swell

Great Swell — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:52:57 -0800

What was breathtaking was/were the orange capped volunteers. They would bring you water, direct you to a bathroom, be your wirness, just anything. We got it. I thanked them. Each and every one. An hour. My previous marriage ceremony lastesd 12 minutes .... After 6 months of preparation ! I may send flowers to our witness What is the quote ....... "a triumph of hope over expeience". .... well I think not. It is a victory of expience AND hope, just that a much better hope/actuality is generated from the experience, Thanks to everyonel

By: and miles to go before I sleep

and miles to go before I sleep — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:13:08 -0800

Awesome. I am so happy for The Whelk, Great Swell, and all the other couples who were joined in matrimony. And the pictures are great! I so enjoy seeing people in love.

By: DreamerFi

DreamerFi — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:22:38 -0800

Happy Whelking day, New York!

By: Goofyy

Goofyy — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:08:40 -0800

Once upon a time, there was a native New Yorker named James, from Brooklyn. He loved me, very much, and wanted to marry me. But we were not allowed, since we were both men. And it came to pass that one day, James suddenly died, passing from this world, to the next. And there, James set out to make things right. But first, he watched over me, and got me a good man who took me to Europe and married me there. Then he set about correcting things in his native New York, for all the other people to marry whom they loved. And that is Saint James of Brooklyn.

By: arcticseal

arcticseal — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:17:49 -0800

Goofyy, I'm tearing up in my office. That's beautiful.

By: running order squabble fest

running order squabble fest — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:37:11 -0800

Ah, the heat, of course - I was wondering about the absence of formalwear in a lot of these pictures. Congratulations, everyone!

By: sswiller

sswiller — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:53:28 -0800

Me and my friend were at the City Clerk's Office watching & taking video & just enjoying the vibe. Then, we went up to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to see the opposition. Such a sad site. There was a decent amount (not good with crowd counting but I'll say 1,000) of protesters including Ruben Diaz and the leader of the National Organization of Families. I think that they just drove buses to half the churches in Queens and the Bronx and filled them up because most of the crowd looked like churchies. Lots of families with kids. Very sad.

By: josher71

josher71 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:09:11 -0800

BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:05:26 -0800

Yay, now everyone is legally entitled to be unhappy!

By: telstar

telstar — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:11:28 -0800

And stop having sex! Yay!

By: marxchivist

marxchivist — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:16:51 -0800

Yay! And congrats to The Whelk. How did you decide who was Spouse A and who was Spouse B?

By: EvaDestruction

EvaDestruction — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:24:36 -0800

I needed this. Thanks, schmod. And congratulations, The Whelk!

By: Sophie1

Sophie1 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:46:10 -0800

Mazal tov to the Whelks and to all New Yorkers!!!

By: safetyfork

safetyfork — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:06 -0800

BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!! posted by josher7 I was thinking the same thing!

By: the sobsister

the sobsister — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:30:11 -0800

I'm so proud of my home state and SO happy for everyone who got to stand up and declare their love before (wo)man and God(s) (and the civil authorities). Congratulations to The Whelk and to everyone getting married in NY!

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:56:54 -0800

"Then, we went up to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to see the opposition" I take it that they didn't know whose plaza they were protesting in?

By: schmod

schmod — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:34:16 -0800

This week's New Yorker Cover

By: iheijoushin

iheijoushin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:54:46 -0800

I wonder when or if the state of New York will join the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' challenge against DOMA? This is a wonderful step for the people of New York, and keeps up the momentum of states favoring marriage rights, but equality isn't here quite yet for single-sex couples who are denied numerous benefits afforded to other couples.

By: Unicorn on the cob

Unicorn on the cob — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:08:22 -0800

Aye aye, congrats to all lovers - especially those MeFites whose names/families were legally and officially embiggened on this landmark day! I'm totally tearing up at my desk - I think you guys got your overwhelming happiness in my eye :)

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:04:44 -0800

Anti-Gay Marriage Group Files Legal Challenge to New York's Law

"Twenty four hours after New York's landmark same sex marriage law went into effect, the anti-gay-marriage group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms today has filed a lawsuit PDF seeking to overturn it."

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:07:21 -0800

47 Gay Couples Marry in Mass Wedding at Niagara Falls | Video.

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:09:58 -0800

Randy Rainbow Is Not Getting Married (To Marcus Bachmann).

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:17:08 -0800

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Weds Gay Staffers on Live TV: Video.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:25:22 -0800

A group called New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is opposed to gay marriage and is fighting it via challenges that constitutional restrictions applicable in passing the law weren't followed. The satire writes itself but I somehow don't think the targets will get it.

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:14:01 -0800

Interview With Mayor Bloomberg's Married Staffers John Feinblatt & Jonathan Mintz.

By: ericb

ericb — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:08:51 -0800

AVENUE Q's Gay Couple 'Rod' & 'Ricky' Wed in NYC | Video.

By: en forme de poire

en forme de poire — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:50:58 -0800

Congratulations to the husbands Whelk! (And to all of the other newly-minted spouses.)

By: nzero

nzero — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:34:37 -0800

Congrats, The Whelk and all others. Many happy years to you. This tiny bit of happy news in a sea of sad/bad/angering news somehow makes it seem like things might be ok in the end.

By: rmd1023

rmd1023 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:20:59 -0800

A MARRIED WHELK! YAY! congrats!

By: Lemurrhea

Lemurrhea — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:00:51 -0800

Interview With Mayor Bloomberg's Married Staffers John Feinblatt & Jonathan Mintz. Huh, usually when I see another Mintz in the news it's that jerkwad Jack Mintz. So good to see the name doing well. Congrats to everyone!

By: frecklefaerie

frecklefaerie — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:50:43 -0800

Buzzfeed has some wonderful pictures here. The couple from picture 12 is also seen here. So many smiles and love! It's so wonderful. I'm loving all the matching outfits. I would so wear the same dress as my partner if I were getting gay-married.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:22:06 -0800

First Lawsuit to Overturn Marriage Equality in New York Already Stymied

By: elizardbits

elizardbits — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:40:10 -0800

New York Challenges U.S. Defense of Marriage Act "The New York State attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, acting just days after the state began allowing gay couples to wed, filed a legal brief on Tuesday challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act."

By: misha

misha — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:43:45 -0800

Congratulations to the Mssrs. Whelk! I looked for you last night on The Daily Show but didn't see you. Sadface.

By: arcticseal

arcticseal — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:50:07 -0800

DOMA is a hateful piece of legislation and needs to be gone ASAP.

By: deborah

deborah — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:12:48 -0800

gemmy: "I loved this story today about the two little twins that were acting as volunteer flower girls for anyone who wanted them to." I was kind of happily sniffly but this pushed me all the way into full-on tears. What a wonderful thing to do.

By: deborah

deborah — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:15:05 -0800

And dammit, I just ran out of favourites. If you said something positive, just imagine you have an extra favourite from me.

By: EmpressCallipygos

EmpressCallipygos — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:05:22 -0800

Belated congratulations to The Whelk! Avenue Q wasn't the only Broadway show holding a wedding on the 25th. Over at the St. James, on the set for Hair, three couples from the Broadway community were married by another Broadway personality, Colman Domingo, who'd had himself ordained by the Universal Life Church expressly for the occasion. Among the couples were Terri White and Donna Barnett; Terri is currently appearing in a revival of Follies. According to a 2009 article in the New York Times, the two held a commitment ceremony on the same stage in October of 2009.

By: hippybear

hippybear — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:18:59 -0800

Wait, what? There's a revival of Follies happening on Broadway right now, and the New Yorker hasn't said a word about it? Damn, that's one of the best (and most seldom staged because of the casting requirements) Sondheim shows.

By: EmpressCallipygos

EmpressCallipygos — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:34:39 -0800

hippybear -- the bad news is that I mis-spoke -- Follies is NOT on Broadway now. The GOOD news is, it's because it's not there YET. It is still in the future -- it WILL be on Broadway this September. Behold.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:50:06 -0800

The gay agenda will see you now.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:09:44 -0800

DOMA is a hateful piece of legislation and needs to be gone ASAP. It won't be gone soon enough for this couple: S.F. gay married couple loses immigration battle: Citing the Defense of Marriage Act, the Obama administration denied immigration benefits to a married gay couple from San Francisco and ordered the expulsion of a man who is the primary caregiver to his AIDS-afflicted spouse.

By: scody

scody — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:21:53 -0800

Citing the Defense of Marriage Act, the Obama administration denied immigration benefits to a married gay couple from San Francisco and ordered the expulsion of a man who is the primary caregiver to his AIDS-afflicted spouse. God, I really regret being deluded into thinking Obama was going to be better than this.