Gay Couple Holds Public Wedding In Dallas

It was a wedding 53 years in the making. Jack Evans and George Harris made their relationship official in the eyes of at least one church.

"The marriage of George and Jack is a sign of God's love and their love for each other and our love for one another," said Rev. Bill McElvaney, the minister officiating the marriage.

Evans and Harris are in their 80's. They asked several churches to perform the ceremony. Northaven United Methodist Church in North Dallas was the first to say yes.
 
"We're celebrating 53 years and finally saying let's make this... let's call it what it is... what it has been for a half a century," said minister Arthur Stewart.

Hundreds of people witnessed the ceremony.

"In the name of God, I take you George to be my married life partner," said Evans, as the couple exchanged vows. "In the name of God, I, George, take you, Jack, to be my married life partner," Harris followed.

And for at least one minister, it was a call to change.

"It's sufficient to say George and Jack are offering a gift, an invitation and a challenge to the United Methodist Church to become ... a fully inclusive church," said Rev. McElvaney. "And we thank them for that."

For now, the marriage will only stand in this church.

Last week, federal judge Orlando Garcia declared a same-sex marriage ban in Texas unconstitutional, but will allow the nation's second-most populous state to enforce the law pending an appeal that will likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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