Lansing - Rather than getting married in front of her disapproving parents, Rene Rasmussen traveled all the way from Minnesota with her life partner, Angie Hawkins, to share their commitment.
Dressed in black and white wedding gowns and holding pink roses, Rasmussen and Hawkins sealed their seven-year relationship with a kiss at the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project Commitment Ceremony on the steps of the Capitol on Saturday.
The ceremony was part of the 2003 Michigan Pride LGBT March, Rally & Festival. The event, which drew more than 5,000 people, is in its 15th year.
About 300 people participated in the wedding ceremony received a certificate honoring their dedication to each other. The commitment ceremony was sponsored by the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project, a community center based in Ann Arbor.
"I think it's awesome," Rasmussen said. "It's something we will remember for the rest of our lives. This means way more to me than being in front of people who don't approve."
The Rev. Fran Mayes, of the Tree of Life Metropolitan Community Church in Ypsilanti, performed the holy union with Minister Stephen Rassi of the Church of Spiritual Enhancement in Ann Arbor.
Mayes said this was the fifth year the ceremony was performed at the festival.
Rassi said the ultimate goal is for Michigan is to legally recognize same-sex marriages.
"It's legal for same-sex couples to get married everywhere in the country," Rassi said. "It's just not legally recognized. In a lot of churches and synagogues, God recognizes it, but the government doesn't."
Claudia and Heather Galvez of Grand Rapids also participated in the ceremony. They said despite the lack of legal recognition, only love determines the validity of a marriage.
"To us this is real, whether people recognize it or not," Claudia Galvez said. "Sooner or later gay marriages will be legalized."
Vermont is the only state which recognizes same-sex marriages. Holland and Belgium are the only countries that legally recognize same-sex marriages. Canada's federal government is expected to recognize gay marriages by mid-2004.
Mayes said the ceremony might have various meanings for the participants.
"It's a religious ceremony, spiritual and also a political statement at the same time," Mayes said.
