Wedding Equality

Bradford Wells and Anthony John Makk, 2004

Massachusetts

Although the couple were legally wed in Massachusetts and have lived together for 19 years in San Francisco, Makk is being deported to his native Australia. It is time to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

Richard Dennis and Jair Izquierdo, February 14, 2008

New Jersey

The couple entered into a civil union in New Jersey, but that did not save Izquierdo from being deported to his native Peru. The couple now suffers with a heart-breaking long-distance relationship.

According to news reports, police broke up this unnamed couple’s wedding party in February 2010 in Kenya. Police said that they broke up the wedding both because homosexuality is illegal in Kenya and also to protect them from a mob threatening to kill the grooms. The grooms were found not guilty on charges of homosexual conduct. However, I have found no updates of what has happened to them since the traumatic events of their wedding day.

Lois Marrero and Mickie Mashburn, May 25, 1991

Tampa, Florida

Marrero, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty in 2001. Mashburn’s unsuccessful struggle to receive survivor’s benefits from the Tampa Police Department is featured in the 2004 documentary film Tying the Knot. 

Josh Vandiver and Henry Velandia, August 29, 2010

Montville, Connecticut

Despite their legal marriage, Velandia is facing deportation to Venezuela. Take action to keep this family together!  And join their Facebook campaign as well. Please reblog!

Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton, July 27, 2003

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

An image from the couple’s wedding was used without their permission by Polish President Lech Kaczynski during a televised speech condemning homosexuality. The couple later made a trip to Poland to spread a message of tolerance. 

Michael Cole-Smith and Jamil Smith-Cole, Sept. 13, 2009

Minneapolis, Minnesota

After people ripped pictures of the couple from Facebook and began reposting them on other sites with hateful comments, this pair used it as an opportunity to speak out for equality. Read more here. 

WARNING: THIS IS A VERY SAD STORY! 

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 2010

Malawi

Alas, this is the story of a wedding that didn’t happen. The pair participated in a chinkhoswe, a local ceremony marking a couple’s engagement. Before the wedding itself ever took place, however, the pair were convicted in court in May 2010 of “unnatural offenses” and “indecent practices.” Later that month, under international pressure, President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned the couple. Nonetheless, the stress and strain of the conviction and the negative media attention had already taken its toll on the pair. In June, they announced their separation. 

Greg Gould and Aurelio Tiné, October 23, 2010

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The couple has faced two forms of discrimination. First, although marriage for same-sex couples is legal in New Hampshire, their local newspaper, the Manchester Union-Leader, refused to run their wedding announcement. In addition, Tiné, who is from Venezuela, is facing possible deportation because bi-national same-sex couples in the United States are denied immigration rights.