http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-979098.mp3
Hudson, NY – About 30 miles south of Albany in the city of Hudson, the temperature hovered around 80 degrees. About 200 supporters of Linda Mussmann and Claudia Bruce tried to stay cool with bottled water, and with specially decorated fans, with the seal of New York modified to indicate the passage of the marriage equality law.
Just after 11:30 Saturday night, the couple, together for 35 years, made their way down the aisle to cheers and applause.
The wedding was a modest one, held inside Time and Space Limited, the theater and performing arts space that the couple operates in Hudson. They stood at the top of a platform, with relatives, friends, and supporters looking on. Even family that was unable to make the trip to Hudson from other states was able to watch through a webcam feed off of a laptop.
Mussmann compared their past, and their desire to marry, to waiting for a train that never comes, and finally, when it comes, and the door opens, they have a ticket to ride.
The ceremony went on, with Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera leading the couple through the exchange of rings. Then, as midnight approached, the two prepared to sign off on their marriage certificate, and made the marriage legal
Mussmann says the night was one of the highest points of their lives. She says much of the past month has been a blur. She said they wanted to marry as soon as they could, and adds that it's been a whirlwind.
For Bruce, she says there was excitement last year, when marriage equality was considered and pushed for by the Paterson administration, but she says they were disappointed when it was not adopted. This year, the picture was much different. Bruce says they never thought about getting married, because it wasn't in their consciousness. She says they moved ahead, did what they could, and when the opportunity came it was time to push for marriage equality.
For family like Toby Bruce, who came in from California for the wedding, the excitement was obvious. He says he's referred to Linda as his "sister out law," and says finally, he can call her his sister-in-law.
As history was being made inside, there was very little indication outside of the wedding. And, there were no protestors outside of the building. The couple said they heard Saturday before the wedding from State Senator Steve Saland, who was a key vote in the Senate's adoption of marriage equality. Hudson lies in Saland's senatorial district. The lawmaker was part of an event held by Governor Cuomo Sunday in New York City to celebrate the adoption of the law.