KEN WILLIAMS / Monitor staff


With civil unions becoming legal in the state next week, here's how three couples will celebrate their love.

Michelle Holland, one of about a dozen guests who will attend Gary Benson's civil union celebration Monday night, is leaning toward crab rangoon.

"I have no idea what I should make," said the 37-year old, who works at Elektrisola. "He likes my famous crab rangoon. Everybody likes mine because I make them fatter than the Chinese people. I add extra filling, but you better not put that in the paper, because what if I don't bring it?"

Holland would be wise to do so, now that the rangoon's out of the bag. It'll go nicely with the little meatballs Benson is making for the historic night. And it's a delicious way to usher in a new era of tolerance and acceptance, of mainstreaming and institutional love traditionally reserved for straight people.

Here it comes, civil unions for gay couples, legal in this state as of one second past midnight, New Year's Day, 2008.

The question of why "marriage" isn't part of the legislature's wording can wait. That's an issue for another day.

For now, there are plans to make. This weekend, and in the weeks leading up to '08, gay couples have been plotting civil union strategy, thinking about things like where to go for the ceremony, who should perform it, whom to invite, and, of course, what to serve.

Benson, 38, owns a hairdressing business downtown. He's invited close friends to his house Monday night, including a justice of the peace, Beth Campbell, who is also one of his clients, to perform the ceremony. He'll document his commitment to Dan Bilodeau, his partner for the past 12 years.

"I'm making a whole bunch of dishes, and I'm going to order in Chinese food," Benson said. "Everybody's making dishes. It will be very celebratory. We're making history."

Benson and Bilodeau had a civil union in Provincetown 10 years ago, important vows that fell upon deaf ears here. But Bilodeau says he felt no bitterness over what

some may have perceived as a snub back home.

"I didn't find it a strange feeling," Bilodeau said. "It felt good that we could commit to one another in some formal way and we had it on paper, so that was good for me."

This, of course, is better.

"I'm ecstatic," Bilodeau said. "It makes me feel like I'm part of the community. I didn't feel like I really fit in that much. Now I feel like we can be respected a little more as individuals and as a couple."

Holland and her partner, Wendy Edwards, live in Boscawen. They met two years ago, after conversing on an internet fan forum for Lisa Marie Presley.

They'll be social butterflies Monday night. After crab rangoon and meatballs, they'll leave Benson and Bilodeau's home about 11:30 p.m., wishing the couple well while looking after their own legal needs at the State House.

There, a group ceremony for about 20 pre-registered couples will be held, with introductions, songs and the exchanging of vows marking the cold night. Afterward, Holland and her entourage will raise their glasses in a toast at the VFW, where Holland tends bar.

"My father and stepmother are coming from Massachusetts," Holland beamed. "My mother's coming, and she's from Concord. Tons of friends.

"For me, it's absolutely huge," she continued. "We decided to do it instead of Feb. 5, which would have been our anniversary. We believe it's part of history, and we're so happy to be able to do it with friends and family. We're ecstatic and couldn't be happier."

One by one the stories of happiness mixed with those of self awareness, of looking in the mirror and figuring it all out.

Beth McGuinn, a land protection specialist, and Ruth Smith, an environmental educator, met at the University of New Hampshire 26 years ago, before they had acknowledged their sexuality. They fell in love in 1989 and had a commitment ceremony four years later, on a colorful fall day.

Now they reside in Canterbury. They're having a potluck dinner Monday night, complete with songs and games. "We'll make quiche from our chickens' eggs," McGuinn said. "If they would stay up long enough, we'd invite them to the civil union, but they'll be in bed long before that."

Then, near midnight, they'll head outside with their 20 guests, start a fire and be joined as legal partners by state Sen. Harold Janeway, a guest and a good friend.

"Initially, we talked about making it low-key because we felt like our marriage has already happened, and this is just the paperwork," Smith said. "But as we talked about it and as we've been interviewed and as we've run into other people who will be participating in their own civil unions, there's definitely a building level of excitement. I'm getting much more excited about it. There's an excitement there that is too real to ignore."

They'll eat and sing and embrace, these three couples who want to grow old together. They'll celebrate a new period in the state's history.

Some thought adopting civil unions was long overdue when it passed last spring But on this night, just past midnight, the timing will be perfect.

(Ray Duckler can be reached at rduckler@cmonitor.com.)

------ End of article

By RAY DUCKLER

Monitor staff

SOURCE:

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...ERTAINMENT/712280436

oh how cool...now who is wendy and michelle? they still on the forum?

I just got an e-mail about it, that is neat!

quote:

Originally posted by Jonee:
oh how cool...now who is wendy and michelle? they still on the forum?

?? I am not sure who they are ... or if it was this forum .... I thought it was really cool.

I have met some great people here too

Congrats you guys...I am very happy for you

Yeah they are from this forum...Madonna and Frezo...WTG!

quote:

Originally posted by Sydneyjean:
Congrats you guys...I am very happy for you

Yeah they are from this forum...Madonna and Frezo...WTG!

REALLY!!!! .. That is soooo COOL!

CONGRATS

I am soo happy for these two! They are a great couple! Hubby and I had a blast with them in Memphis at Coyote Ugly week of the 30th! Congrats to you both!!! Thanks for posting Miss Mojo!!!

well thats cool ....congrats!!!

CONGRATS you two!!!!!

AAALLLLLLL RRIIGGGHHHTTT!! THEY'RE FAMOUS!! LOL THAT LISA IS QUITE THE CUPID!! CONGRATS GUYS!!!

WOO! HOO! This is great news. It's about time more states are getting on board with equality!
I wish them all the best. For the happy couple:

WTG Guys!!!!!!!!!!!


Congrats to you both!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very cool....Congrats.

Hey guys! My precious Puppy told me this was posted (I privately brought it to Lisa's attention).

Midnight, 01-01-2008, M n I were married. It was small, yet done in a grand way. We were on the state house lawn, with many couples, celebrating our newly granted rights, but surrounded by friends n family, and a beloved friend performed our personalized ceremony, which we (aka I) put together Though we were a part of history and a grand event, ours was very much separate and personal, and it meant the world to us (and I'm not afraid to admit that saying my vows choked me up! I love you Michelle!!!). =)

To everyone, those who know us AND those who don't, Thank You for your kind words, well wishes, and support!!! We couldn't be happier! Hope to truly celebrate with a new tour lol

God Bless You All & Happiest of New Years!!!

~~ BEST WISHES MADONNA816 ~~ I am so happy for you both! It is so nice to hear! I hope your 2008 is the best year ever ... and YES a tour would be a great wat to celebrate