First gay couple to get married in america
"A beautiful, well-written love story that is heartrending and ultimately heartwarming. Thank you, Michael and Jack, for opening the doors for the rest of us, for your integrity, for proving, yes: Love wins!"—Robert Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The Kitchen Boy
"In The Wedding Heard ’Round the Earth, chronicler Gail Langer Karwoski has fashioned a wonderfully compelling told-to story of triumph in the amazing lives of Michael McConnell and Jack Baker. A great and memorable read."—Terry Kay, author of To Dance with the Alabaster Dog
"The only first-person account by the two forward-looking men who legally married, shortly after the Stonewall riot, and who established the importance of marriage in an era when it was disregarded by society and angrily rejected by gay activists."—Thomas Kraemer, founder, Oregon State University Foundation Magnus Hirschfield Fund
"One of the great adore stories of the past century, and one that jump-started the movement for LGBT marriage equality. The librarian and the regulation student—Mike and Jack—are all-American pioneers. Anyone interested in gay rights—or in romance—should read this book."—William N. Eskridge Jr., Yale Regulation School
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50 years ago, a gay couple outsmarted a court into letting them marry. Here they are today.
It's hard to explain the relentless intensity of having young children if you haven't done it. It's wonderful, lovely, magical and all of that—it truly is—but it's a lot. Like, a lot. It's a bit like running an ultramarathon through the most pretty landscape you can conceive. There's no question that it's amazing, but it's really, really hard. And sometimes there are storms or big hills or obstacles or twisted ankles or some other thing that makes it even more challenging for a while.
Unfortunately, a lot of moms feel like they're running that marathon alone. Some actually are. Some have partners who don't pull their weight. But even with an equivalent partner, the early years tend to be mom-heavy, and it takes a toll. In fact, that toll is so superb that it's not rare for moms to fantasize about being hospitalized—not with anything serious, just something that requires a limited stay—simply to get a genuine break.
An exhausted mom looks at her laptop while kids play in the backgroundImage via Canva
In a thread on X (formerly Twit
The Wedding Heard 'Round the World
"The great appeal of McConnell and Baker’s recommended story is its plain style and the everydayness of their lives. Their appeal is how common people can do remarkable things. "—Library Journal
"The Wedding Heard ‘Round the Nature serves as a kind reminder that there were couples plotting this victory long, long before a consensus formed around marriage equality."—The New Republic
"Michael McConnell’s easy, personable tone will make you feel appreciate your uncle, father, or grandfather is telling the story of their younger years, and what gender non-conforming life was like support in the day. His persona alone makes this book an instant classic."—Lambda Literary
"A sweet story wrapped inside a righteous brawl, told with charm and grace. Start The Wedding Heard ‘Round the World – and you’ll hold no defense."—Washington Blade
"Recommended for all LGBT-related and general history collections, and especially for readers with Minnesota ties and memories. While we can all justifiably laud 2015’s same-sex marriage Final Answer, we should al
Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding
Rob Sanders is a picture novel author, a writing teacher, a sometimes blogger, and a dog lover. He worked for fifteen years in religious educational publishing as a writer, editor, editorial manager, and product designer. These days, he teaches elementary school kids about books and words and reading and writing, and also writes books for those similar kids. Rob is the author of the nonfiction picture books The Fighting Infantryman: The Story of Albert D. J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier; Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag; Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg; Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights; and Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. But he'll always write fiction too, including Rodzilla, Outer Vacuum Bedtime Race, and Ball & Balloon.