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Gay couples promise forever in PrideFest ceremony
By RON MATUS TAMPA -- They sat together Saturday, apart from the rest, in the red seats at Raymond James Stadium. Kelly Harcrow's hand was on Rhoshonda Walker's shoulder. Both wore black shirts and blue jeans. "I made her do it," Walker said. It was their wedding day, and she wanted them to match. Harcrow and Walker didn't get married Saturday. But in front of two ministers, with 200 people watching, they vowed commitment to each other for life. So did roughly 30 other gay and lesbian couples who gathered inside the stadium. Some exchanged rings. Some cried while friends and family snapped pictures. The only thing missing was a marriage license. It'll do, said Walker, 24, "until we can do the real thing." The ceremony was part of Tampa Bay's ninth annual PrideFest, a weeklong gay and lesbian celebration that continues today and is expected to draw 30,000 people. The St. Petersburg Times is a sponsor. Saturday's events at the stadium, which drew an estimated 2,000 people, included a pride rally, a diva fest and a business expo. It brought out a handful of politicians, including Hillsborough County Commission Chairwoman Pat Frank and Tampa mayoral candidate Frank Sanchez. It also included a tribute to fallen Tampa police Officer Lois Marrero. Marrero was killed in the line of duty a year ago Saturday. Her longtime partner, Mickie Mashburn, got a standing ovation when she accepted an award from a gay and lesbian police group. Mashburn encouraged the crowd to support the creation of a domestic partner registry in the city of Tampa that would allow same-sex partners of city employees to get the same benefits as married couples. Mashburn is involved in a legal struggle because Marrero's state and federal pension death benefits were awarded to her parents. "Do it for me. Do it for yourself," Mashburn said about supporting the registry. "Do it for Lois Marrero." Saturday was the third year the PrideFest included a commitment ceremony. Many couples said they participated because they wanted ceremony and ritual just like straight couples do. They wanted to exchange vows. They wanted to do it in public. They wanted to be married. But a commitment ceremony "is as close as we can get without going to Vermont," said Robert Webber, 34, who participated with Ray Hendershot, 35, his partner of 18 months. Vermont is the only state that sanctions gay marriages. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Michel J. Pugin, interim pastor at Metropolitan Community Church in Tampa, and the Rev. John Gill, pastor of King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg. Between them, the two have conducted individual commitment ceremonies for more than 500 gay and lesbian couples. "Just because they're of the same gender doesn't mean they can't commit to a monogamous relationship," Pugin said. "We can love one person only." Pugin asked the couples to repeat after him. He began: "With great joy, and in thanksgiving for God's love, I, take you, to be my partner and companion." He ended: "I will be faithful to you today, and all of our days together." The couples kissed. Onlookers cheered. "We were committed 23 years ago," said Ed Halleran, 42, referring to his longtime partner, Steve Sika, 47. "It just took this long for a ceremony to catch up." Many couples said they still planned to get officially married, whenever that opportunity comes. But for now, "We consider this to be legal and binding," said Lyn Castle, 38. Castle and her partner, Lynn Heck, 38, laughed. Then they showed off their rings. Bands of white gold, trimmed with gay pride rainbows. -- Ron Matus can be reached at 226-3405 or matus@sptimes.com.
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