gay couples, but in the Methow it would be a niche market, said Twisp photographer Teri Pieper, who has photographed numerous weddings and commitment ceremonies here over the past several years. Pieper said she appreciates the uniqueness and the universality of weddings. “One of the things I really like – and find touching – about all weddings is the involvement of family and friends in support, saying, ‘We’ll help you stay together,’” said Pieper.
Conducting the ceremony
Outside his job at Sun Mountain, Childs officiates at weddings, one of thousands ordained through the Universal Life Church, which bestows the necessary legal status through its website. “I would be happy to officiate. I’ve talked to many long-term couples I know and told them, ‘If you want to make a commitment, I would be more than happy to do it,’” said Childs. Kelly Donoghue of Carlton also offers his services as
an officiant. “I think there’s a lot I can bring to the table in terms of thought and emotion,” he said. “In my heart, I’m a preacher anyway. And I can do cowboy weddings – I can ride a horse.” While some of Tsiatsios’ gay clients got married years ago, not caring whether it was legal, now that the law has changed, many same-sex couples who have been together for decades are considering marriage for the first time. “It really is momentous – it’s history,” she said.
Washington state
Photo by Teri Pieper
Washington is one of nine states (plus the District of Columbia) where same-sex couples can get married, and one of only three where the states’ voters affirmed that right in a referendum. On the other hand, while 20 states offer some recognition for domestic partnerships or civil unions for gays, state laws or constitutions in 39 states outlaw same-sex marriage or restrict other forms of recognition for same-sex relationships, according to
Gary Ford and Chris Schneider held their commitment ceremony in the Winthrop Barn. the American Civil Liberties Union. In Washington, marriage licenses are issued at the county level, but people do not have to live in the county (or get married in the county) where they obtain the license (nor even be a resident of Washington). Since the new law went into effect on Dec. 6, Okanogan County has issued 14 marriage
licenses, fewer than half to same-sex couples. On the other hand, while you do not have to live in Washington to get married, there is a residency requirement to obtain a divorce in the state. The new law also has a provision that automatically converts registered domestic partnerships to marriage as of June 30, 2014, unless one mem-
ber of the couple is 62 or older or the couple is in the process of dissolving the partnership. Couples with registered partnerships can also apply for a marriage license before that date and get married. In addition to the protections and privileges afforded by marriage in Washington, the status confers legal responsibilities, such as liability for a spouse’s debts. In Washington, both spouses or domestic partners are legally presumed to be the parents of any children born during their marriage or within a registered domestic partnership, but these parental rights are not respected by all states. In fact, some states and countries allow adoptions by single parents but not by samesex couples, so people could find it difficult or impossible to adopt if they do get married. The federal Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits gay marriage (thereby denying federal benefits such as Social Security and immigration rights to married same-sex couples) is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Z
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