Gay couple first to be married at St Mary’s
IT was a day of love and acceptance for Ryan and Kieren Lew Fatt Hamilton who tied the knot at St Mary’s Football Club.
The couple, who met in November, were the first duo to get married in the clubhouse.
St Mary’s has a special significance for the pair, as it is where Kieren works and where his grandfather and great-uncles played.
Ryan said they were nervous asking to hold the wed- ding at the Catholic sports club, but were pleased that they got an immediate yes.
“If St Mary’s, a very Catholic club that’s stuck in its ways, if they can allow a gay marriage with no ifs or buts, this can show that times have changed,” he said yesterday.
“It’s not called a gay marriage, it’s just called a marriage. There’s no stereotypes. There was none of that. They made us feel like this was the norm.”
With almost 200 guests, the pair asked everyone to get involved, including one of the women’s teams who arrived in their uniforms, straight from their game.
“It means the world to us that so many people wanted to be part of our special day,” Ryan said.
Although the pair have only been together a short time, Ryan says they could not imagine their lives without the other.
“Honestly, it feels like we’ve known each other a lifetime,” he said. “We have the same heart — we’re so emotionally connected it’s ridiculous.”
Celebrant Caitlyn Davey said she was excited to celebrate the boys’ special day.
“I kind of think it’s a bit funny to make a big deal about it, though,” she said.
“Really, if we’re talking about equality, we should celebrate the same way we do for any other wedding.”
Despite predictions before the plebiscite that there would be a rush of same-sex weddings, Ms Davey said she had found that was not the case.
“It’s not as big as everyone thought it would be,” she said.
“Most people will just want to get married, and have the time to plan the weddings the way they really want them to be.”
“It’s not called a gay marriage, it’s just called a marriage” GROOM RYAN LEW FATT HAMILTON