A fine day for a wedding (or three)

At 10:00 this morning, which is the first day when same-sex couples obtained their D.C. marriage licenses, I was a guest at the weddings of three couples at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters on Rhode Island Avenue. Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend were married by the Rev. David North; Reginald Stanley and Rocky Galloway were married by the Rev. Sylvia E. Sumter; and Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and Rev. Lorilyn Candy Holmes were married by the Rev. Dwayne Johnson. (I am told these were not the first; a gay couple reportedly had arranged a civil ceremony at D.C. Superior Court earlier in the morning.)

Outside in the sunshine to greet the guests as they arrived were the Rock Creek Singers of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, who sang "What More Can I Say" from Falsettos and "Marry Us" from NakedMan. Inside, a cellist played prior to each of the three ceremonies. One of the most moving elements of the day was provided by Malena and Zoe, the baby daughters of Reggie and Rocky. They illustrated better than anything else what this is ultimately all about — that our victory protects families.

On hand to celebrate and toast the three happy couples (who truly glowed with happiness) were Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. Council members David Catania and Jim Graham, as well as gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny, who will be 85 on May 21. Also present was a large phalanx of television news cameras and reporters. We will post video. Congrats to all who are marrying this week and in the days to come, and to all who helped make possible these simple and profound legal commitments that confirm commitments already made and lived.