PHOTOS: Getty
Myra Rodriguez (L) and Janeida Rivera share a brilliant moment after exchanging vows in a civil union ceremony in Chicago's Millennium Park.
Thirty-three same-sex couples were joined in civil unions today in a ceremony officiated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the park. Today was the first day that couples across Illinois could have a civil union ceremony officiated after receiving their licenses a day earlier.
Shanelle Moffett (L) and Tenisha Watkins were among the couples unioned in the park. Other couples having ceremonies today included Food Network stars and restaurateurs Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith; James Darby, "who at nearly 80 was legally joined to his partner of 47 years" Patrick Bova; Commissioner of Human Relations Mona Noriega and her partner Evette Cardona; and veteran Black lesbian activist Vernita Gray was al;sojoined with her partner Pat Ewert.
More reports and photos at Windy City Times ...
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn also attended to congratulate the couples. Quinn signed the civil unions legislation in Jaunary that made Illinois the sixth state to allow civil unions. Since then, Colorado, Delaware and Hawaii have passed similar legislation that has not been enacted. Five states and the District of Columbia permit same-sex marriage. Watch FOX Chicago's report WHEN YOU JUMP ...
So lovely!
Posted by: Chris Cruz | 02 June 2011 at 19:05
Beautiful! It's great to see women of color represented.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 02 June 2011 at 19:52
Absolutely wonderful!!!! I wish all of the couples the best!
Posted by: Distant Lover | 02 June 2011 at 21:45
The link to the Windy City Times features a spread of photos from the big Civil Union ceremony in the park in Chicago officiated by the mayor. I see a variety of races represented among the same-sex couples. However, what I don't see are any Black male same-sex couples. Why is that? I don't think the photographers were prejudiced. Are we brothers scared of committemnt or scrared to be see?
Posted by: Black Gay Dude | 02 June 2011 at 22:49
Congrats to all the couples!! Love is a beautiful thing and sharing it for the world to see is beautiful.
I too have a question about the lack of black male couples. Why do they seem non-exsistent? Are we so dl that we hide in the shadows when it comes to everything? Lawd knows we are out there screwing. Are we scared of committing? We seem so far and few in between when it comes to these articles.
Depending on the state or city, you might see one or two black male couples out of 30 to 100 couples. Then we get mad when we see black men with white men. Then we see the black/white couple getting married and get even more upset. Why do we feel this way? Not all black gay men want to hide in the shadows. Yet our partners don't want our love to shine in the light of day. Yes, not everyone can do that because of jobs, family, ect. But one couple out of 33-100. Come on now.
I believe in sex and love it. But I also believe in marriage. It is possible to believe in both. Congrats to all the happy couples!!! Live and love!!
Posted by: Diva1961 | 03 June 2011 at 10:02
I had to comment here again to get the sour taste I got from reading the above discussion about the pastor in Harlem. Yuck!
Anyway....Love is beautiful. Including the ghey type.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 03 June 2011 at 15:55