Phyllis Siegel, 76, right, kisses her wife Connie Kopelov, 84, after exchanging vows at the Manhattan City Clerk’s office with New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in attendance, back left.  Siegel and Kopelov have been partners for more than 20 years, and had the honor of being the first gay couple married in Manhattan on the first day New York State’s Marriage Equality Act went into effect.

[AP]

17 Comments

The anti-gay protesters who were out in force should be rounded up and forced to listen to the stories of couples like Siegel and Kopelov. If they can truly listen, I do not know how they could continue in their protests. I find these couples stories so heartwarming, and at times sad that they needlessly needed to wait so long to marry in civil ceremony.

Jeeze, I have had the privelege of getting married three times and no one protested for me.

@DElurker: Or continue protesting after reading about this family. I was verklempt for over an hour after reading the column. Their wedding announcement is in today’s Times.

Awww … my state did something right!

Good Lord, so these ladies are the kind of people we are supposed to fear so much? What a mob of loud-mouthed cowards this country has produced. No wonder chickenhawks like Rush and Shrub and Cheney were popular.

Congratulations to all the new brides and grooms today.
/toasts with martini*

*Cascade Mountain gin, something I picked up yesterday. At 95 proof and made with real juniper berries, it’s worth trying although it’s a little heavy at first. Costs less than Tanqueray at the funky little store I was at yesterday.

@redmanlaw: Ooo. Gin. Mmm. Juniper. Pork crackling. Mmm. Whatever happened to Dutch Gin? I thought it was delicious.

Good for the ladies. The first 40 years are the hardest.

@Benedick HRH KFC: From what I have read, this is actually a Dutch style gin. Half a martini and I’m feeling pretty damn good. “Dinner, you say? I am having dinner, if you count these three olives here. Oh, for you, too. OK. I’m on it.”

@redmanlaw: A fine Oregon product, I believe. Lux Mentis gave me a bottle of Cold River gin, made in Maine. Highly recommend, if you can find it.

Before I die I would like to spring for a bottle of Boodles. I understand that it makes an excellent Gimlet or even straight up with a twist. I think I will look for the Cascades product as it may be more in my price range.

SFL – I think the story is great, especially for the girls. I know more than a few folks whose heads would explode if they read the same story. Maybe I should send them a link.

@DElurker: Send the head-exploders this one too. The couple has only been together since 1976. That’s 35 years for folks who can’t do the math so quickly.

The entire Style section of the Sunday New York Times has been a festival of verklempt-ness. I love that every article is about teh gheyz getting married and about 40% of the announcements are same-sex weddings.

P.S. hope the third time has been the charm for you and the hetero marriages.

And…

“My generation was bitterly divided over something that should have been so clear and right. The majority believed that what the judge said, that it was God’s plan to keep people apart, and that government should discriminate against people in love. But I have lived long enough now to see big changes. The older generation’s fears and prejudices have given way, and today’s young people realize that if someone loves someone, they have a right to marry.

“Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the ‘wrong kind of person’ for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.

“I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.”

Mildred Loving, commenting on the 40th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia ruling, shortly before her death.

@redmanlaw:
@Mistress Cynica:
@DElurker:

I love gin, I love Martinis (which must be made only with gin), but I’ve never had Boodles or any of the “small” gins mentioned. Looks like I’ll be making a trip to Providence to find some of these delights.!

@karen marie has her eyes tight shut: I agree that a Martini is made with gin. The vodka folks should be forced come up with another name for their libation.

Has anyone ever had Borovicka? The N.Y. residents should be able to find it in neighborhoods with strong eastern European communities. It is a Slovak version of Gin. If you are adventurous enough to try it, do not get Jelenek brand as it is the mildest. I have had some that was smuggled back in a soda bottle by a friend. She kept it in the freezer. sipping a shot of that was an incredible experience. The juniper was so fragrant that is was amazing.

@SanFranLefty: Thanks. We still have a good time together and go out of our way, occasionally for each other. And she ignores my comments on Nancy Grace.

TTSB – time to see Barry

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