Photographer:
Angela Jimenez
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this Issue of Curve:
Vol. 14#1
Newlyweds Melany and Christie Walters-Beck took the plunge in dual ceremonies last year — one was a legal ceremony held July 4 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and another was a celebration for family and friends held July 12 in their hometown of Ontonagon, Mich. (population 2,000!).
When did you decide to marry?
Melany: We didn’t bring a U-Haul to our second date, but we realized quite early that the relationship was significant. I would say we knew by about the third or fourth month at least. Initially, it was a long-distance relationship, with me commuting home almost every weekend to spend time with her. Once we were both in college, there wasn’t a doubt in our minds that we would marry eventually. It was just a matter of when and where.
Why go to Canada?
Christie: We had initially talked about Vermont, but when we heard about Ontario allowing same-sex marriages, it seemed much more realistic. It was only three hours from where we lived.
Would you have arranged for a non-legally binding ceremony if Canada had not made same-sex marriage legal?
Melany: We definitely planned a ceremony for friends and family, but we wanted something in writing as well.
Who attended your ceremony?
Christie: We invited two of our friends, Randi and Kate, another lesbian couple, to be our attendants [at the ceremony in Canada.] … We had a larger wedding ceremony for friends and family on July 12 in our hometown of Ontonagon, Mich.
Tell us about your ceremony with family and friends.
Christie: We chose an Asian theme for our wedding. … I wore a white satin Asian-style suit.
Melany: Mine was a light blue Asian dress with dark blue accents in a dragon/Phoenix design. We carried single stargazer lilies and had bubbles instead of rice. We had already exchanged white-gold bands during our first ceremony, in Canada. … We also did a traditional Chinese tea ceremony honoring our parents. The Asian theme really allowed us to stray from traditional Western wedding expectations while keeping things fun. Neither one of us was expected to wear a tux, puffy, white wedding gown or pantsuit.
Where did you honeymoon?
Melany: We had decided that since neither one of us had ever been to the East Coast or seen the Atlantic Ocean, we would go to Provincetown [Mass.].
How has getting married changed your legal status in the United States?
Christie: We are going to attempt a family gym membership using our marriage certificate from Canada and see how that works. It’s really a gray area. Our campus does have a nondiscrimination policy, so that is in our favor.
What’s been the hardest part of your first year as a married couple?
Melany: Just negative people. Nothing internal. We have had a few relatives that have gone out of their way to make us feel unhappy, but it’s so small compared to how many people have reached out to us and supported us. Being from a small town, we were surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response.
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