12/01/2006
South Africa's First Gay Wedding Photos
Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls today tied the knot in South Africa's first gay wedding since same-sex unions took effect on Thursday. They adopted the joint surname Halls-Gibbs.
The couple wore ranger outfits to the ceremony because they "run a guest lodge and animal rehabilitation centre, which was attacked last year after it was marketed to gay tourists" according to the BBC.
Vernon Halls-Gibbs noted the fact that the ceremony took place on World AIDS Day: "This marriage... is for all HIV/AIDS sufferers and gay people who have experienced discrimination."
He added, "I just have one message I would like to give to everybody that we are just two men who love each other and who have loved each other for a long time."
Our best wishes to the happy couple.
Per a reader request, here's a link to their guest lodge website.
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Posted 12:22 PM EST by Andy Towle in AIDS/HIV, Gay Marriage, News, South Africa | Permalink
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Any information on a website with information on their guest lodge and animal rehabilitation centre? I have always wanted to go to South Africa and maybe this is a good place to support and visit.
Posted by: John | Dec 1, 2006 12:34:28 PM
Best wishes for the Happy Couple. nice to see good news on a grey, cloudy day here in NYC.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Dec 1, 2006 12:55:56 PM
Congratulations to the Halls-Gibbs and congratulations to South Africa! May God bless them all!
Gelukwensen M. en M. Halls-Gibbs! De God zegent u allebei en de Republiek Zuid-Afrika bij deze gelukkigste gelegenheid.
I wanted to congratulate you in your two official languages but alas I don't speak Afrikaans. My rusty Dutch will have to do.
It's official, the US now ranks behind South Africa in Civil Rights bestowed upon its citizens! Fifteen years ago, during the last throws of Apartheid, that would have seemed absolutely impossible to believe.
That's what happens when they progress into the 21st century at the same time that we digress into the 19th.
Posted by: Zeke | Dec 1, 2006 1:08:59 PM
I like the faces of the people in the background... you can tell that they are genuinely happy for the couple.
Posted by: chrisb | Dec 1, 2006 1:24:39 PM
Zeke, You also speak Dutch? How many airline stewards did you "date"?
Posted by: rudy | Dec 1, 2006 1:34:06 PM
I only speak a little Dutch. I'm fluent in Spanish, German, French and four distinct dialects of Redneck.
I was a linguist in the military.
Posted by: Zeke | Dec 1, 2006 4:00:26 PM
...One Navy pilot (whom I married) but no airline stewards. I think we're supposed to call them "flight attendants" now.
Posted by: Zeke | Dec 1, 2006 4:05:34 PM
Congratulations to the happy couple! I wish them all the best.
Posted by: Dex | Dec 1, 2006 5:55:58 PM
Two feelings when I look at those pics: first, happiness. Then, envy and a bit of sadness that me and my partner of 10 years can't do the same here.
Posted by: mark m | Dec 1, 2006 7:23:00 PM
http://www.arendhoogte.com/index.htm
Tony and Vernon's guest lodge. South Africa is a fabulous place to visit. =)
Posted by: Dee | Dec 1, 2006 8:29:08 PM
Thanks for posting the link Dee.
Posted by: Zeke | Dec 1, 2006 10:53:07 PM
First gay marriage in South Africa - wow! Congratz to the happy couple.
Posted by: Corporate Golfer | Dec 2, 2006 1:37:55 AM
Good for them, they look so happy and they look to have a great place and great friends.
Posted by: EM | Dec 2, 2006 4:04:13 AM