West Hollywood: White dresses and sneakers
Kate and Tori Kuykendall, both 31, considered themselves already married, after a commitment ceremony three years ago in San Diego, but Kuykendall showed up at 6 p.m. Monday to claim the first spot on the wedding line in West Hollywood.
“We just thought it might be kind of lonely to be at the LAX courthouse,” said Kate, explaining why they bypassed the airport courthouse closer to their El Segundo home.
The couple was euphoric, but more for the historical significance of the day and the increasing acceptance of gay people than for themselves.
Tori Kuykendall wore the same white dress she wore at the earlier ceremony. Kate had to buy a new dress at BCBG since she had a baby five months ago and no longer fits into her 2005 dress. Both wore white canvas Converse low-top sneakers.
They were accompanied by Kate Kuykendall’s mother, who served as their witness. Kate's family is deeply religious, and struggled with her sexual orientation.
“I grew up in household where being gay was a sin,” Kate said.
Still, the family grew more accepting. Kate Kuykendall grew teary as she described how her father choked up while giving a speech at the 2005 commitment ceremony.
“It’s a good lesson for families,” she said. “We don’t have to agree, but we have a loving, supportive family.”
The women have a 5-month-old daughter and hope to have more children. They also hope that the legal recognition of their marriage will help their daughter and their future children feel comfortable having two moms.
But obstacles remain. The women both work for the Peace Corps, a federally funded program. Tori Kuykendall would like to be a stay-at-home mother, but she wouldn’t qualify for Kate’s health insurance because the Defense of Marriage Act, signed by President Clinton in 1996, forbids it. Buying private insurance would be costly.
“We always say we want the best and the brightest going into public service,” Kate said. “But from a long-term perspective for me, that means I have to pay out-of-pocket for her healthcare.”
-- Joe Mozingo
Photo: Barbara Davidson/Los Angeles Times
Tori, left, and Kate Kuykendall make their way to get a marriage license.
Congrats Kate and Tori!!!
Posted by: Pia | June 18, 2008 at 09:14 AM