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“Are We Married Yet?” Marty and Chuck's Most Excellent Adventure by Marty Beaudet September 1, 2004 When former Affirmation Executive Director Marty Beaudet and his partner of 11 years Chuck decided to marry, they never lost sight of the one thing no judge can rule on--their love for each other. Shortly before leaving on his honeymoon, Marty sent us the following report: We planned and sent out invitations to our July 1 (11 year anniversary) Canadian wedding on Valentine’s Day, the same weekend San Francisco started issuing licenses. But we wanted a legal wedding that wasn’t political, so we stayed with our plans for Whistler, Canada. Then when Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon began issuing licenses, we went and got one because it was historic. But we again stayed with our Canadian plans because the guests were all invited and the event was planned--no politics, just love and marriage. An Oregon judge ruled the licenses had to be honored, but that no new ones could be issued. Suddenly we had a rapidly closing window of opportunity to be legally married in our own state! So we had a quickie ceremony-—no vows-—just to get the legal record here. Then Canada said they couldn’t marry us again because we already married. But then another Oregon judge stayed the recording of our marriage, so we weren’t married. So we went to Whistler, had a real wedding and a wonderful time with 12 guests in a little inn we rented for the occasion. The week we came home another Oregon judge ruled that the state had to record our Oregon marriage license immediately (married), but the state attorney general said that even though the marriages were recorded, the state still wouldn’t honor them (not married)! Now we face a constitutional amendment (Measure 36) in November to define marriage as only between one man and one woman. The polls show the race too close to call, and we can only hope it won't pass. If it fails, the state Supreme Court will likely rule our Oregon marriage legal and valid. In any case, we have wonderful pictures and memories of a real, legal wedding in Canada, and we will continue to celebrate it!
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