Same-Sex Couples Get Hitched Atop Empire State Building For First Time Ever
Alaskan lovebirds Stephanie Figarelle and Lela McArthur became the first same-sex couple to tie the knot at the Empire State Building this morning, with an early-morning Valentine's Day ceremony at the crack of 8 a.m. It was the first of four weddings to take place at the landmark building today, and all designed by "celebrity event designer" Colin Cowie. Here's awwwwesome video from the Figarelle-McArthur union:
After the ladies got hitched, at 11 a.m. Shawn Klein and Phil Fung became the first same-sex couple from New York State to wed atop the Empire State Building. Fung, 49, a technological project manager for a financial firm, and Klein, 51, an administrator at New York Presbyterian, were betrothed in a small ceremony on the landmark's 61st floor, nearly eight months after Albany's vote to make New York the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. They met over eighteen years ago at the erstwhile Roxy nightclub, and have been in a registered domestic partnership for over two years.
While pop culture and Nora Ephron have cemented the Empire State Building as a prime meeting spot for lovers, weddings at the building are only allowed once a year on Valentine's Day. Couples who wish to wed there are required to submit their photos and love stories to a competition, where friends and family can vote for them. Today the four winning couples, who included two hetero couples (boooring!) got an all-expenses paid ceremony, reception and champagne toast.
At the ceremony, Fung and Klein, who walked down the aisle to Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," wore matching suits courtesy of Men's Wearhouse and exchanged complimentary De Beers wedding rings. Around forty guests were in attendance, including ten members of Klein's family, who traveled to New York from his home state of North Dakota. And the ceremony was presided over by local "Wedding Celebrant" Kim Kirkley, who spoke at length about the couple's historic union.
Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
I'm all for marriage between two consenting adults, but I'm not sure why lesbians so often take on male and female roles. Gay men used to do this as well, but this practice stopped in the mid 20th century.
If you hadn't told me they were both women, I would have thought the handsome person with the buzz cut and nice tuxedo was male. If gay men had marriage ceremonies like this one- with one man in pretty long hair, make up, and a wedding gown, and the other in a tuxedo, people would go crazy that it sends the wrong message!
jengee
I find your comment ignorant. Should all lesbians have to wear dresses and makeup to be progressive? Also, I don't know how many gay men you know, but I know many that identify with a female power. The problem is you're associating a woman with an old fashioned image of what a woman should look like.
This has been one of the first lesbian couple dressed in style. Most of ones posted seem to be old lesbians on break from working at Home Depot.
sluggita
Congratulations, Ladies and Gents! You both are gorgeous!
RobertMosesSupposesErroneously
Cute! Although I hope in my lifetime, gay marriage ceases to be a exciting/controversial novelty and becomes just as noteworthy as left-handed people getting married.
ANGRYGOD11
You are not seriously suggesting left-handed people be legally allowed to marry, are you?
BBnet3000
If you let lefties marry, next thing we'll be marrying our dogs.
theevilerone
Do people listen to the lyrics of songs? How Am I Supposed to Live Without You is a break-up song.
TuraLura
So are a lot of love songs played at weddings.
Peanut_Butter
Screw you cause I was...BORN IN THE USA!
ktinnyc
Conratulations!
But Men's Warehouse, really? I hope you got paid to wear a suit in which the main selling point it that you buy one and get the other for free...
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.
Want Gothamist's suggestions on what shows to check out, where to eat, what to buy, where to go for a quick trip? We'll be bringing you some exclusive tips and ideas via email every day! And don't worry—you'll still get a list of our top stories.
Sign up for Gothamist Daily, which will deliver useful tips—plus Gothamist's most popular stories—to your inbox at 11 a.m. This way, you'll be able to plan your week or month as well as catch up on Gothamist if you've stepped away.
Five Great Local Beaches You Can Get To Without A Car
$250 VIP GoogaMooga Tickets: You Would've Gotten More Full Eating The Money
Your Summer 2012 Top 10 Blockbuster Movie Guide!
Photos: Experience "NASA's" Amazing Mission To Mars Inside The Park Ave Armory
7 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC, For Your High-Altitude Drinking Pleasure
White Fence's Tim Presley Talks Recording With Ty Segall, Brooklyn's Blandness, & Peeing With His Cat
24 Magnificent Photos Of Manhattan Peacocks To Take The Edge Off Today
Mike Birbiglia Ate In An Airplane Bathroom, And Other Stories From The Moth Ball
John Hodgman Talks Nick Nolte, His Deranged Mustache, & How Money Buys Happiness
Videos: Mourning And Celebrating Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch
