New York Governor Officiates Wedding At Stonewall Inn During Pride Festivities

David Contreras Turley and Peter Thiede decided to move their upcoming wedding to this weekend after Friday's historic Supreme Court decision for marriage equality.

By
Claudia Koerner
by Claudia Koerner

BuzzFeed News Reporter

New York couple David Contreras Turley and Peter Thiede were married Sunday amid Pride festivities in a ceremony officiated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Mark Lennihan / AP

The ceremony took place outside the Stonewall Inn, where in 1969 gay men rose up against a police raid and the modern LGBT rights movement was born.

Mark Lennihan / AP

Turley continues to work for equality in his job as the assistant regional field director with the Human Rights Campaign.

The couple told the New York Daily News they had planned to get married later this year, but they couldn't pass up a chance to be part of history following Friday's Supreme Court decision.

It was the first time Cuomo had officiated a wedding. Lawmakers granted his request for the power only days before.

Andrew Cuomo @NYGovCuomo

By the power recently vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you married. Congrats, David and Peter!

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Cuomo signed New York's law for marriage equality in 2011, and on Sunday, he marched in the Pride parade with a banner reading, "New York led the way."

Mark Lennihan / AP

In his remarks at the wedding, he added the recent Supreme Court decision was about justice.

"Today we treat all people equally, and that really is the fundamental promise of this country," he said.

Robbie Kaplan, the attorney who argued before the Supreme Court against the Defense of Marriage Act, also spoke in the ceremony.

Mark Lennihan / AP

Noting that it would likely become a tradition, Kaplan read Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion that granted marriage equality to all Americans.

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family."

The couple said their vows with their families by their sides. Each "I do" was met with cheers, applause, and happy laughter.

Mark Lennihan / AP

"By the power recently invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you married," Cuomo said. "Kiss, please."

Watch the ceremony here.

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