Stephen and Charlie

Charlie and I live in Los Angeles City. We met 5 years ago at Charlie's birthday party. Our relationship solidified quickly and we moved in together 6 months after we first met. The strength of our relationship gave me the courage to come out to my mother. While I was out to everyone except for my mother at that point, I felt strongly that my mother should know about the love I have for my partner. It was a struggle, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. It took a few years, but when Charlie and I decided to have our commitment ceremony last year, my mother was fully supportive.

Less than one year after our commitment ceremony, the California Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry. We were thrilled beyond words to witness this historic moment. As an Asian American, I view marriage equality as a fundamental right that shapes societal views on a minority population. Many immigrant and native-born Asian Americans do not realize that only 50 years ago, the US Government had anti-miscegenation statutes that restricted marriages based on race. It was only after the landmark US Supreme Court ruling of Loving v. Virginia in 1967 did the view of true racial equality begin to spread throughout our nation. Similarly, restrictions on the ability for same-sex couples to be protected by the law often contributed to the blatant discrimination against the LGBT community.

Needless to say, Charlie and I decided to get married legally at the earliest opportunity. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa generously agreed to officiate over our wedding. As a true champion on the issue of same-sex marriage, he has been supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage since 1994 when he was in the California State Assembly. On June 26th, Mayor Villaraigosa officiated over our marriage, and helped Charlie and I obtain the same legal rights and status as many of our fellow Californians. We are proud to have played a part in history and helping pave the way to full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.