Mayor Rybak Introduces First Same-Sex Couples to Be Married in Minneapolis

Mayor unveils Citys plans to marry same-sex couples in Minneapolis City Hall just after midnight on August 1

June 27, 2013 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today introduced the first two same-sex couples that he plans to marry in the Rotunda of Minneapolis City Hall just after midnight on August 1, the first day that it will be legal for all Minnesotans to marry the person that they love. Mayor Rybak will officiate at the wedding of Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke, as well as at the wedding of Al Giraud and Jeff Isaacson.

Mayor Rybak also announced some of the details of the Citys plans to host the weddings of these and other couples in Minneapolis City Hall on the early morning of August 1.

Mayor Rybak said, August 1 will be one of the most historic days for freedom and equal rights in the history of Minneapolis, and we are thrilled to celebrate it with the joy and dignity that these two couples, the others that we will marry and everyone in our city deserves.

August 2, and every day after it, will be just like every day should be: one where everyone has the freedom to marry and commit for life to the person that they love.

Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke

Minneapolis residents Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke met as coworkers at St. Stephens Human Services in Minneapolis. Cathy is Minnesotas Director to Prevent and End Homelessness and Margaret is the Director of Development and Communications for St. Stephens Human Services. In 2001, they held a festive commitment ceremony, which earned a small feature in Minnesota Bride magazine. They have a five-year-old son, Louie.

Ms. ten Broeke and Ms. Miles said, We have been 100% committed as a family for 12 years. The legal recognition of our commitment by our beloved Minnesota means that our family will have the legal support and protection that every family wants. We are deeply grateful that our sons generation will grow up knowing not only that they are held in the arms of a loving community, but are also embraced by the protections and privileges that this legal recognition gives.

We are honored to have our ceremony officiated by Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has been a leader in bringing marriage equality to Minnesota, they added.

Al Giraud and Jeff Isaacson

Minneapolis residents Al Giraud and Jeff Isaacson, who are both big sports fans, met on Sept 29, 2002 at a Tampa Bay Bucaneers football game, and have loved being together every day for the last 11 years since then. In 2005, they held a commitment ceremony in Tampa, Florida, where they lived at the time. In 2008, Jeff, a Minneapolis native, persuaded Al, a native Floridian, to move to Minneapolis. Now Al shares Jeffs love of Minneapolis and neither can imagine living anywhere else.

Mr. Giraud and Mr. Isaacson said, We, our friends and our family have seen us as married since our commitment ceremony eight years ago, but being legally married in our hometown of Minneapolis not only will give us the same rights as any other citizen, but will affirm our relationship in the eyes of our city and community.

We had considered traveling to Iowa to get married, but we had faith that Minnesota would welcome us before long. We couldn't be happier that the day is now so near, they added.

Details of August 1 wedding ceremonies at Minneapolis City Hall

Last May, as Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature passed the freedom to marry, Mayor Rybak announced his commitment to conducting weddings for couples on the first day that it was legal for all Minnesotans to marry the person that they love. Since that time, many couples contacted Mayor Rybaks office to ask if he would marry them in City Hall on August 1.

Today, Mayor Rybak announced some of the details of the August 1 weddings.

City Hall will open to the public and the media at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 31. Following a pre-program, Mayor Rybak will conduct the weddings of Ms. Miles and Ms. ten Broeke and of Mr. Giraud and Mr. Isaacson shortly after midnight on August 1.

From 1:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on August 1, Mayor Rybak will conduct one by one the weddings of the approximately 40 other couples that have asked to be married in Minneapolis City Hall on that day.

The following organizations are donating the following goods and services to the August 1 events.

• The Municipal Building Commission, which governs and operates Minneapolis City Hall, is donating the Rotunda space.
• The Hotel Minneapolis is donating a late-night reception at their location one block from City Hall, and is offering special room rates for couples married at City Hall.
• The Betty Crocker division of General Mills is donating cakes.
• Minneapolis musician Jeremy Messersmith, the Copper Street Brass Quintet and the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus are all donating performances.
• Photography students from Art Institutes International Minnesota are donating their photography services.
• Meet Minneapolis offers comprehensive, complimentary wedding-planning services, and recently launched a web page for same-sex couples who are planning their weddings. They will be present at the Twin Cities PRIDE! Festival in Loring Park this weekend.

Other donations will be announced as they are confirmed. There is expected to be little to no cost to Minneapolis taxpayers of the August 1 events in City Hall.

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