Texas newspaper prints first same-sex wedding announcement
A newspaper in Fort Worth, Texas, has published its first wedding announcement for a same-sex couple.
Same-sex marriage is currently banned in Texas, with a court ruling striking down the ban stayed pending appeal.
However, a newspaper in the deeply conservative state – the Fort Worth Star-Telegram – has this week altered its regulations on wedding announcements, and printed an announcement for a same-sex couple who wed out-of-state.
The announcement reads: “Joshua Adam Rogers and David Apolonio Hernandez were married on July 12, 2014 at The Rose Chapel in Fort Worth, Texas.
“The couple was later legally married on July 14, 2014 in Queens, New York at a private ceremony while on their honeymoon.
“David is a flight attendant with American Airlines and Joshua is an Operations Manager with Nationstar Mortgage.
“The couple met in February 2004 and decided to marry on the 10-year anniversary of their personal commitment to one another. They were overjoyed by the love and support of their friends and family.”
The new rules state: “To qualify for publication in our Sunday Life section, under the Wedding heading, same-sex wedding ceremonies must be performed in states where same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
“Ceremonies taking place in states where same-sex marriages are not legally recognized, will be listed under Celebrations.”
David Mack Henderson of campaigns group Fairness Fort Worth said: “CONGRATS to DAVID HERNANDEZ & JOSHUA ROGERS on their wedding announcement in the FWST!
“Theirs becomes the first published in our local paper and serves as a testament that we are an integral part of this community. Who’s next?”
