Wedding Equality

Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello, Dec. 28, 2009

Ushuaia, Argentina

Theirs was Latin America’s first legal same-sex marriage. The two were married in the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina before the freedom to marry was extended to the entire nation in July 2010. Both are HIV-positive and wore red ribbon sashes at their ceremony to call attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 

Diane Olson and Robin Tyler, June 16, 2008

Beverly Hills, California

Olson and Tyler, who sued the state of California for the right to marry, were the first same-sex couple in the state to marry when it became legal in 2008 (although same-sex marriage was banned by voters later that year). Their wedding attracted a great deal of media attention.  

Michel Girouard and Rejean Tremblay, March 17, 1972

Los Angeles, California

Because no church in their own city would bless their relationship, this Montreal couple traveled to Los Angeles to recite their vows with Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the MCC denomination. The photo is a reminder that the need for same-sex marriage rights and rites is not new. (Perry’s own wedding was featured in the previous post. Ironically, Perry and his husband traveled to Canada to get married.)

Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa

Anne and Elaine Vautour

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jan. 14, 2001

In a joint ceremony, they were the first two same-sex couples legally married in Canada. They just celebrated their ten-year anniversaries. Wedding coverage here. Anniversary coverage here, here and here.