Women
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our hottest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Civil unions in Colorado took effect May 1, and the first couple to be licensed was a pair of lesbian moms, both dressed in white wedding gowns, with their son Jeremy, 5, at their side.
Fran and Anna Simon have been vocal supporters of civil union legislation, as it was introduced for three consecutive years before finally passing both the state House and Senate earlier this year. Democratic governor John Hickenlooper signed the legislation into law on March 21. Both Denver and Boulder county opened their clerk's offices at midnight last night to welcome same-sex couples eager to make their relationship official.
The Simons repeatedly testified in legislative hearings about the important legal protections civil unions would provide to their family, so it was fitting that the couple became the first same-sex pair to receive a civil union license at 12:02 a.m. on May 1. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock performed a ceremony for the couple, while they group was surrounded by friends, family, and reporters eager to document the historic moment.
"We have been waiting 10 years to have access to critical legal protections that will help protect our family," Fran told SheWired. "Many other couples have waited much longer. We are so glad to finally have these protections and to have our family recognized under Colorado law. We wore our wedding gowns 8 years ago for our religious ceremony and we wore them again last night. We look forward to the day we can wear them a third time when we, and all loving, committed couples, have the freedom to marry. Hopefully, the gowns will still fit!"
Colorado voters approved an amendment to the state constitution banning marriage equality in 2006, so civil unions provide almost all the benefits of marriage to committed same-sex (and opposite-sex) couples as afforded by marriage. As drafted, civil unions afford adoption, inheritance, survivorship and visitation rights to any two unrelated adults who enter into the union.
Now take a moment to revel in the sheer joy on the faces of this family: Jeremy at far left, Fran in the center, and Anna on the right:
Congratulations to the Simons and all Coloradans!
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
48 celebrities with OnlyFans accounts to thirst over
April 23 2024 6:02 AM
25 All-Time Greatest Lesbian Sex Scenes in Movies & Where To Stream Them
December 12 2023 11:36 AM
87 LGBTQ+ Movies We Can’t Wait To See In 2023
December 07 2023 4:19 PM
28 same-sex couples who don't mind the age gap
January 16 2024 2:15 PM
25 Reasons Being A Bottom Is Tougher Than Being A Top
December 12 2023 3:15 PM
These 44 Stars Came Out In 2023
December 26 2023 10:16 AM
30 TV Shows With Bisexual Guy Characters & Where To Watch Them
December 19 2023 10:38 AM
30 steamy gay scenes in movies that have us feeling VERY h-word
January 26 2024 12:12 PM
All 20 Sex Scenes on 'Bridgerton', Ranked
December 12 2023 12:32 PM
30 Best 'Trades Of The Season' In The 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Franchise
December 21 2023 5:11 PM
Don’t miss our hottest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Latest Stories
There are 30 lesbian bars left in the US today — here's where to find them
April 24 2024 10:25 AM
Iconic athletes demand NCAA support for trans inclusion
April 24 2024 8:00 AM
Nymphia Wind on blacking out at the crowning, Plane Jane plans & what we DIDN'T see
April 23 2024 8:56 PM
Glow up alert! Check out the 'All Stars 9' cast confessional lewks then and now
April 23 2024 8:39 PM
Jennifer Hudson and Orville Peck to be Honored at GLAAD Awards in NYC
April 23 2024 7:01 PM
12 chaotic lesbian characters who we can't help but love
April 23 2024 6:34 PM
24 NYC Passover Pregame party pics that are a total gay mitzvah
April 23 2024 3:48 PM
Related Stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Sunnivie Brydum
<p>Sunnivie is an award-winning journalist and the managing editor at <em>The Advocate</em>. A proud spouse and puppy-parent, Sunnivie strives to queer up the world of reporting while covering the politics of equality daily.</p>
<p>Sunnivie is an award-winning journalist and the managing editor at <em>The Advocate</em>. A proud spouse and puppy-parent, Sunnivie strives to queer up the world of reporting while covering the politics of equality daily.</p>
Megan Thee Stallion sued for harassment, ex employee allegedly forced to watch her have sex