Marrying in Riverside County: A Photoblog

Daniel Vaillancourt (l) and David Lee were first in line. Only later did they learn for sure that because they were married in Canada, they're not eligible to marry again in California. There's been confusion on that point, and the on-scene HRC rep placed a call to get a definitive answer.

Warren "Woody" Wood (l) and Doug Hairgrove, together 47 years, taught in the same high school throughout their careers. "Everybody knew," said Hairgrove. "Nobody bothered us." Adds Wood: "I think it's because they knew us as people first."

Did Doug and Woody believe this day would come?  "Oh, yes!"

Marilyn Lang and Darlene Lindstrom speak to the media. Looking adoringly at Lindstrom, Lang recalls the moment that led them here: "She got down on her hands and knees and proposed." After getting their license, they were headed for a 10:30 date with the preacher at their church, Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley.

Riverside County's first walk-in couples: (l to r) Becky Bowles, Jeff McCloskey, Rhonda Mann, Brom Beckerman, Robin Rosenberg, and Rosie Fiorentino. The couples pulled up in a stretch limo.

David Fickenscher (l) gulps down tears as he weds Michael Healy. They've decided that their new last name together will be "Ryan." "It was my grandmother's maiden name, and we're very close," said David. "Besides, when you've been answering to the name 'Fickenscher' all your life, you don't mind changing."

Everybody cried, including the grooms, as these two distinguished guys exchanged vows. Ted Harwick (l), 85, and Ray Foster, 55, have been together 25 years. Ted told me that he was partnered for 38 years before this relationship; his partner died.

Ray's daughter and grandson showed up to celebrate. Now for lunch! (Anne Stockwell, The Advocate)

For more marriage coverage, go to Advocate.com.

Comments

[steven karash (& jb sacks)_]

Excellent and Congratulations!!!!!!!!
As my dear friend Lesley Ann Warren's character Norma said in the movie Victor Victoria ....YEY!!!!!!!!!

:)

[Judy G]

Congratulations!

[Ray Foster]

Thank you Advocate for taking that picture of our family. What a wonderful day!!!!!! Our daughter, Laura, gave us in marriage and our grandson was the official Keeper of the Rings and was our ring bearer. My heart just soars with happiness and having our picture in the Advocate was so beyond our expectation, we're really humbled. That daughter of ours put up with so much negative stuff over having two dads, we can't tell you how great it feels to be married and have her honor us. She made us a family and we thank the Advocate for acknowledging us.

Ray Foster Harwick and Ted Harwick

[Amanda Hurst]

To discriminate
Is to hate
To capitulate
To perpetuate the late
Nights stayed
Beds made
Bills paid
Normal charade to evade
The life crushed
Memos airbrushed
Make-up rushed
Hair unbrushed and voices hushed
Same sex couples
Hide I their castles
Trying to avoid the hassles
The hurdles from their idols
Still America discriminates
On those with same sex bedmates
To try and deflate
The floodgate
To hold back the hate
To mis-mate, mistake the phosphate
The veins that notate
The rest of the world is irate
Life for us is roommate
To placate the stalemate
That they call democracy.
--- Kate Hurst
p.s.- to the love of my life rachel...you will always be my lover, and best friend. I love you!