PORT TOWNSEND — The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act on Wednesday was greeted enthusiastically by same-sex newlyweds on the North Olympic Peninsula.
“I’m overjoyed, surprised and flabbergasted. It’s like, ‘Oh, my God. They did the right thing,’” said Cheron Dudley, 64, who married her partner, Mena Quilici, 61, in March on the 19th anniversary of their relationship.
“The feeling that I have now is the same that I had when Barack Obama became president,” the Port Townsend woman said.
“Now, everyone has a fair shot, and we aren’t going to be treated like crap all the time.”
Washington voters approved same-sex marriages by referendum in November, and they became legal Dec. 6.
Since then, 18 same-sex couples have acquired marriage licenses in Jefferson County, according to data from the county Auditor’s Office.
Of these, all but two live in the county.
In Clallam County, 25 marriage licenses have been issued to same-sex couples since Dec. 6.
Some of the couples were from out of state who traveled to Port Angeles for a destination wedding, but most had a local address.
“I’m so excited I’ve lived to see this day in our nation. Let the freedom ring,” said Judy “J.P.” Persall, 60, of Happy Valley, who married her spouse, Diana Wickman, in December.
The two woke at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to watch television coverage of the Supreme Court decision as it was announced, Persall said Wednesday.
Persall spent the morning gardening, alone with her thoughts.
“I just needed to let it sink in. Now the rockets are going off,” Persall said.
The justices issued two 5-4 rulings regarding same-sex marriage Wednesday.
One of those decisions erased a part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denied federal tax, health and pension benefits to married same-sex couples.
The court left in place separate provision of the federal marriage law that allows states to deny recognition to same-sex marriages performed in other states.
The other ruling effectively eliminated California’s Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, by leaving in place a previous lower court ruling that invalidated the law.
“I won’t do anything differently,” Dudley said, “but it has finally made me a first-class citizen and changes the way that I view myself in relation to others.”
She said that much of the impact is financial. Quilici can share in her pension, and the couple can file a joint tax return, which saves time and money.
“I have a friend who never gets up before noon, and she called me at 7 a.m. today and said: ‘You’ve got to turn on the TV. This is really great,’” Dudley said.
Randi Winter, 61 — who married her partner, Lynne Pattin, 71, on Dec. 6 — echoed Dudley, saying the legitimized financial connection is a great advantage.
“We were quite excited when we heard the news. We’ve been together 30 years and said, ‘It’s about time,’” said Winter, who lives in Port Townsend.
“But there is still a long way to go since only 13 states have approved this.”
William Plumley, 49, of Forks also was glad to see the ruling.
He and Mark Downing, 48, were married in 2006 in Victoria.
Their Canadian marriage certificate has been recognized by the state since Washington voters legalized same-sex marriages in the Nov. 6 general election.
“The [Supreme Court] decision is what we expected, and we’re pleased with it,” Plumley said.
Wickman and Persall, who have been together for a decade, are decorated veterans who retired as lieutenant commanders from the Coast Guard after 22-year careers, Persall in 2004 and Wickman in 2009.
“This is just as exciting as the reversal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” Persall said.
The court decision gives both of them Social Security survivor benefits, inheritance benefits and tax benefits in addition to the military survivor benefits that Persall’s father, who was retired military, was able to offer her mother, Persall said.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor — who represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the Peninsula — has urged the Department of Defense, the largest employer in his district, to quickly implement reforms to ensure same-sex couples receive the benefits of marriage equality.
The court’s decision will go into effect immediately, but full implementation will be slightly delayed, said Kilmer spokesman Stephen Carter.
Federal employees and members of the military who are in a legal same-sex marriage from a state that accepts it will be considered married for federal and military benefits, even if they live in a state that does not recognize that marriage, Carter said.
Said Kilmer: “I’m proud to hail from a state that stood up and said yes to marriage equality.
Brinnon resident Duane Evanoff, 53 — who married Wesley Westergaared, 46, in March — had not heard about the Supreme Court decision Wednesday.
“I don’t keep up with the news anymore,” he said. “I’ve been pretty sick.
“But anyone should be able to get married to anyone else, whether they are gay or straight.”
Evanoff’s illness was part of the motivation to get married since it will allow Westergaared to visit him in the hospital if necessary, he said.
“We feel more like a unit now,” he said of the marriage.
“And Brinnon is a good place to be,” Evanoff added.
“No one treats us differently, and everyone is really glad that we got married.”
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
