Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, Will Behrens, became the first same-sex couple to marry on a military base last month, committing to one another in front of 150 fellow airmen, friends and family at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
They were married on June 23, just nine months after they could legally go public with their relationship after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed in September.
“We asked [about holding the ceremony on the base], and they were very open about it, but [said], ‘No one has ever asked us this question before,’” Umali said in a Facebook chat hosted by Slate. “We did not get any push back from the base or leadership. All they asked was that we be patient because this was the very first one.”
Both men say they have received support and positive reactions from the military since going public with their relationship. “I never thought I’d be able dance with a man like this on a military installation,” Umali said.
Behrens and Umali were previously married to women, and both have two children. They were all in attendance, according to ABC.
“One thing that we know and want to show our kids is to be true to yourself and love everyone no matter what,” Umali said. “This is a victory for us because our kids still love us and we love each other and that is what they see.”
The new family of six went to Disneyland after the ceremony.
Despite their legal civil union, the couple does not have the same legal rights at heterosexual married couples under the federal Defense of Marriage Act. But, the newlyweds are hopeful. “We fully understand we are going to have more battles, however, they only make us stronger,” Behrens said. “We have gone through a whole lot already and we are ready for the future and to push forward.”
Photo Courtesy Jeff Sheng