City Hall becomes a wedding hall for same-sex couples Sunday
Brad McCanta, 48, left, and Jay McCanta, 52, both of Seattle, share a kiss on the steps of Seattle City Hall after being married.
Deb Needham, 48, left, and Nancy Monahan, 57, of Renton, showed up early hoping to get married at Seattle City Hall on standby, since they missed registering before the event filled up. “We’ve spent our whole life together on standby,” said Monahan. The two married before noon on Sunday.
Brad McCanta, 48, left, and Jay McCanta, 52, both of Seattle, share a kiss on the steps of Seattle City Hall after being married.
Deb Needham, 48, left, and Nancy Monahan, 57, of Renton, showed up early hoping to get married at Seattle City Hall on standby, since they missed registering before the event filled up. “We’ve spent our whole life together on standby,” said Monahan. The two married before noon on Sunday.
Seattle City Hall transformed into a frenetic wedding hall Sunday morning, as dozens arrived for some of the first same-sex weddings in the state.
Volunteers had set up five wedding spots in the lobby of the building on Fourth Avenue and James Street.
Local judges officiated the short ceremonies. City officials, including Mayor Mike McGinn and City Council President Sally Clark, hosted the event and congratulated the newlyweds.
Liam and Richard Sauer-Wooden were among the to get married after the doors opened at 10 a.m. Richard broke down crying during the ceremony.
The Seattle couple, who met 19 years ago, became even more emotional after exiting the building to hundreds of cheering supporters bearing roses and throwing rice.
Responding to urging that he kiss his new husband, Richard did — and then yelled out: ”Thank you for recognizing us!”
Among the other couples to be married in the lobby were Danielle Yung, 32, and Robin Wyss, 34, of Seattle. They have been together for eight years, having met through an Internet dating site.
Yung, who works for the U. S. Department of Labor in compensations for those injured in the development of nuclear weapons, is five months pregnant. Wyss is an organizer for the Service Employees International Union.
“Now our child will always know us as a married couple,” said Yung.
As piano music drifted in the background, Yung told of growing up in Lincoln, Neb., “coming out when I was 14 and the sadness that I could never get married. It was completely inconceivable to me. But fast forward and here we are.”
About 140 couples are expected at City Hall for ceremonies scheduled throughout the day.
Volunteers had set up five wedding spots in the lobby of the building on Fourth Avenue and James Street.
Local judges officiated the short ceremonies. City officials, including Mayor Mike McGinn and City Council President Sally Clark, hosted the event and congratulated the newlyweds.
Liam and Richard Sauer-Wooden were among the to get married after the doors opened at 10 a.m. Richard broke down crying during the ceremony.
The Seattle couple, who met 19 years ago, became even more emotional after exiting the building to hundreds of cheering supporters bearing roses and throwing rice.
Responding to urging that he kiss his new husband, Richard did — and then yelled out: ”Thank you for recognizing us!”
Among the other couples to be married in the lobby were Danielle Yung, 32, and Robin Wyss, 34, of Seattle. They have been together for eight years, having met through an Internet dating site.
Yung, who works for the U. S. Department of Labor in compensations for those injured in the development of nuclear weapons, is five months pregnant. Wyss is an organizer for the Service Employees International Union.
“Now our child will always know us as a married couple,” said Yung.
As piano music drifted in the background, Yung told of growing up in Lincoln, Neb., “coming out when I was 14 and the sadness that I could never get married. It was completely inconceivable to me. But fast forward and here we are.”
About 140 couples are expected at City Hall for ceremonies scheduled throughout the day.
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