A gay Latino couple finally able to say “I do!”
By Keeperman, Brittany | |
Proquest LLC |
Pride is more than just the parade
June is officially recognized as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride month and this weekend there are plenty of activities, celebrations and community gatherings to celebrate.
On
LGBT couples have been able to get civil union licenses in
Earlier this month, marriage equality became a reality in
Mavarro and Ortega met nine years ago at a
The couple said they wanted to marry before it was even an option in
"It would change our lives. Now, he [Mavarro] could go to school and find a job, just like any other resident or citizen of this country," said Ortega. He also noted that now that they are married, Mavarro will be able to be on Ortega's health care plan, something that was not an option before the marriage. But marriage for this couple is about more than just day-to-day practicalities like insurance and residency.
"It's a big deal just that we can say we are married," said Ortega. "Only being able to call him my partner felt kind of weird. Straight couples can just say 'yea, this is my husband' and we weren't able to do that even though we have been together for so long," he added.
In their spare time, the couple said they enjoy taking their two chihuahuas,
"We have a normal life together just like any other couple. We work and we do our little things together. Always together though. We always do everything together," said Ortega.
The couple, coming up on their 10th anniversary, said that the Pride Parade this year will be a huge celebration for them, but noted that while big steps have been made in terms of legal equality there are still people who don't understand.
"There are still a lot of people that need to be educated," said Ortega. "We are just normal people trying to live like any straight couple. We love each other. We are committed to each other. We have been together for so many years. It's about time we have the same rights as any other couple in the country. We are committed to each other for the rest of our lives," he added.
By next year, the couple said they hope that Mavarro is able to obtain his residency so they can travel to
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