“I Do!” cont’d from p. 1 with 110 appointment requests at the clerk’s office, according to news reports. “Couples across the Commonwealth are joyful, happy and grateful that for the first time in U.S. history, we can receive the critical legal rights and protections that come only through marriage,” said Vermonter and PR consultant Marty Rouse, campaign coordinator for MassEquality. “May 17th is a historic day: it’s the day that marks a new chapter of equality for gay and lesbian families.” Rouse added, “A lot of what is happening is spontaneous, but a lot of it is planned. When you look at most gay events, who’s in the forefront: young gay white men. Look at who is out front on mar- riage: seniors and women.” Marriage is “not a done deal after May 17,” Rouse added. “I’m raising a warning flag: the opposition is not going away. The real test will be in the primaries and then the general election. And we’re likely to face a ballot initiative in 2006 or 2008 regardless of whether we win or lose on the state amend- ment” to prohibit same-sex mar- riage equality. “I’m happy for Massachusetts and the world, but if we can be strong, victorious, out there, organized, the more likely it is that we will win.” Another source of hope in Massachusetts is that several openly gay candidates are running for the Massachusetts legislature because of the marriage issue, Rouse said. They are running against legislators who have had no opposition or voted in favor of the anti-gay amendment. “That’s huge,” Rouse said. ' New York couples pil- grimaged to Boston to help cele- brate and some to seek marriages they could then take home and leverage into state recognition. State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, has suggested the state would recognize Massachusetts marriages; Governor George Pataki disagreed. Rhode Island’s Attorney General joined with Spitzer on behalf of his state. In Washington, six same- sex couples chose May 17 to apply for marriage licenses at DC Superior Court in the nation’s capi- tal. They and their supporters, including members of the National Black Justice Coalition, Metropolitan Community Church, the National Coalition for Transgender Equity, and Marriage Equality Now—DC, then rallied on the courthouse steps. Vermonters celebrated the further step that Massachusetts took. A group of about 50 people partied at 135 Pearl to celebrate the historic day with wedding cake, performances by out gay comedian (and Vermont House candidate) Jason P. Lorber and lesbian comedi- an Deb Renshaw, and calls to rally “soon” for full marriage equality here. V top: Dorothy Austin and Diana Eck in Cambridge, Mass. Above, left: Christopher G. Mccarry and Michael J. Sullivan of Alabama , first to wed in P-town. Above right: Holly Puterbaugh & Lois Farnham cut the cake in Vermont on May 17. A . Baroness.-IV Ariel 11 May 9, Linda'Holden, age 51, of _ Underhill, died suddenly from a brain ' tumor. Her death shocked and saddened family, friends, and members of the Barony , of All Vermont,‘a predominantly gay fundraising organization that is part of a A nationwideC’ourt system. The following remembrances came from her son, Michael Holden (‘‘Autumn’’ in the Barony), and Kris A ‘ Rowley (“Baron I Kristoff”). “Ariel was one of those Moms that t V every gaychild wants to have. Even though ;/ she didn’t‘ understand mylifestyle atfirst,‘ _he_accepted‘me with open-anns.qShe,loved l "Awe, _ out that it had spreadAto—her‘ brain’ shes fought the cancer with. everything she had, but in the end it was too much for her.’ VVl1en her time was up, she left peacefully, . surrounded by the love of her family, friends, and other loved ones.” — Autumn (Michael Holden) "“Ariel was full of surprises. She was raised on a farm here in Vermont. She led a simple life. She married her childhood sweetheart, Kendal, 35 years ago, raised her son and daughter, and was a member of the Grange and the American Legion. The meaning of GBLT was totally foreign tojher. ' A “When her son, Michael, came , r out, Ariel loved him for who he is, not what he is. She was lil;e,tl1at~Withfeveryone.vAri/ joined the,B,a_ronyo AllVerm V ' ' people. She got/to, perience he strip show, gotdrunk with us forfthe f‘ A time in many,-years, andsirnply cut loo Not only: didfshe learn to break dow h ,_ own preconceived barriers within th 'Imperial~, ourt System, but we also 1e : not to judge a book byits cover whe was concerned! So much for the simp 7 farm girl from Vermont! “The theme of Ariel’s7 reign ’ Music, Love, and Laughter and she Irv everyday. She gave love and received Her laugh infectious. She filled th hearts of her friends /with, music. She - very speciallady andfwill be _rr_iissed'b