First to Wed in Illinois Says Gay Marriage Ruling a Victory

CHICAGO (AP) – A woman who was the first to marry her partner under Illinois’ gay marriage law says the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriages across the country is a victory her late wife is no doubt celebrating in heaven.
Patricia Ewert and her partner, Vernita Gray, were granted an exception to marry before Illinois’ law formally took effect because Gray was terminally ill with cancer. They married in November 2013 at their Chicago home. Gray died the following March, three months before the law went into effect.

The 67-year-old Ewert said Friday that Gray is doing a “big old happy dance” in heaven to celebrate the historic ruling.

Ewert said that while activists must remain vigilant, opponents of gay rights are standing on a platform that is “getting shakier and shakier.”

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