Kathie & Lynn’s story: Four-year relationship not recognized by state
We were one of five couples who applied for a marriage license. Four gay couples were denied and the one straight couple, who didn’t even know each other, were granted theirs. They tore it up as we exited the courthouse. The point was to show that committed couples can’t be legitimized but any two opposite sex people can, regardless of the commitment.
It was important to show the community how many people support the idea of gay couples being able to be official. We picked that date because of the Massachusetts law going into effect on that date.
We ARE a family consisting of 11 children and 16 grandchildren. We get up every day, go to work, pay taxes, do housework, babysit for grandkids (in fact we are raising our 13 year old grandson), volunteer in the community and go to church. In short, everything any other family does. The only difference is that we cannot guarantee each other’s financial future because we are not recognized as a legal couple for social security, retirement benefits or taxes. We have had to engage an attorney to protect our physical assets and guarantee that we can take care of each other in case of illness. When we travel, these documents go too. No opposite sex couple has to even prove that they are married to have bedside privileges.
The right to marry does not in any way detract from an opposite couple’s marriage. Any time families are strengthened, the whole community benefits.
We have been together over four years and celebrated our commitment ceremony anniversary on June 14, 2006.