Gays Celebrate NY Same-Sex Weddings, Obstacles Still Remain

Gay couples in New York wasted no time in getting married on Sunday.

“I’m so proud of New York,” said Cathedral City resident Susan Cornell.

Cornell grew up in Westchester County near New York City before moving to the Coachella Valley. She’s not surprised her home state gave the thumbs up to gay marriage.

“I think they stand up for what they believe in very, very much,” she said. “We’re outspoken and driven.”

A small number of same-sex couples around the Empire State got married at the stroke of midnight.

But, not everyone approves of gay marriage. Focus on the Family points out 44 states currently have constitutional amendments or statutes that define marriage as between one man and one woman.

Indio resident Ron Wallen is trying to change that.

He and his partner Tom Carrollo were together for 58 years. They got married in California in 2008.

Tom died this past March from leukemia.

When Tom was alive, the couple lived off each other’s Social Security benefits.

When Tom died, his benefits could not be passed on to Ron because their marriage was not federally recognized.

“It angers me,” Ron said. “It angers me a great deal. It’s not fair. It’s not right.”

He recently testified in Washington before the Senate Judiciary Committee to pass the Respect For Marriage Act, which would allow married same-sex couples to be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits.

“My reliable income went from $3,050 to $900 a month,” he testified. “The monthly mortgage on my home is $2,078.”

No longer affording the mortgage, Ron put the couple’s home on the market.

Ron still is happy for New York, despite his dilemma.

But, those happy days will be a distant memory when dealing with the federal government.