Community Corner
Collingswood Hosts 10 Same-Sex Marriages Friday at Scottish Rite
The big event closed out the first week of legalized same-sex marriage in New Jersey.
After Collingswood made history with its first same-sex marriages on Monday, the Scottish Rite Theater took on the atmosphere of a Las Vegas wedding chapel on Friday, Mayor James Maley joked, with ten more couples exchanging vows in the early evening.
"I'm channeling my inner Elvis," he quipped.
The lineup of ceremonies capped the inaugural week of legalized same-sex marriage in New Jersey with a bit of flourish; complimentary champagne was even provided by the Ballroom at the Scottish Rite to mark the occasion.
Maley, who oversaw a number of same-sex civil union ceremonies when the state first allowed those in 2007, said the experience Friday was similar.
"Civil unions was like this too," he said; "just a rush."
After an influx of same-sex marriage applications began pouring into Borough Hall on Friday, officials said that applications have continued to trickle in all week.
Charles Dowdy-Henderson, who has lived in the borough for nine of the 16 years he's been with his husband, Mark, said that Collingswood has "a sense of community that transcends orientation.
"Our children have gone through the school system," he said. "Our family is not unique."
Mark Dowdy-Henderson said he felt like the evening marked "the beginning of a new chapter," and said he was excited for the date "all through the week."
"It's nice to be recognized in the state, the community where you live," Charles Dowdy-Henderson said. "I never thought I would see this day.
"It's not finished, but it is a start."
Karen Levicoff of Erial, NJ, who was at the theater to attend the marriage of Jim Donio and Larry Exler, said she felt privileged "to be able to be a part of something.
"This is history," she said.
Max Tabak and Graham Phillips entered into a civil union in 2008, and have since adopted a son, who was with them for their marriage ceremony on Friday.
"It's nice to know that our child is now legally protected," Tabak said.
Kim Doyle and Lisa Holian traveled from Pennsylvania to Collingswood for their ceremony, and will hold "a big reception in May" to celebrate, Doyle said.
"Collingswood has been just wonderful," she said. "I didn't think it was going to happen this quickly."
During the first week that same-sex marriage has been legal in the state of New Jersey, Collingswood Patch is talking to couples in the borough who are among the first to wed.
Know someone who should be profiled? E-mail matt.skoufalos@patch.com.
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