Herstorical and Hysterical

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 22:55

Carmie and Mickey, with magistrate Gene in the middle!

Ocracoke's first legal same sex marriage ceremony was a celebrated event.

Carmie Prete and Mickey Baker were married on December 2, 2014 at their home on Ocracoke Island by Hyde County magistrate Gene Ballance. The witnesses to the ceremony were close friends Cynthia Mitchell and Pat Garber. Following the afternoon ceremony many well wishers stopped by or called as word spread. Cynthia and Pat had prepared a delicious dinner in which the main course was the famous Spinach Lasagna from the Cafe Atlantic Cookbook, which over the years was the women's favorite dish.

Carmie and Mickey are the first gay couple to be LEGALLY married on Ocracoke Island and in Hyde County. They are 30-year residents and business owners on Ocracoke who have been together for 45 years.

Marriage equality became legal in North Carolina on October 10, 2014.

"We have Edie Windsor to thank for the privilege of a legal marriage" said Mickey.

The newlyweds recommend visiting www.ediewindsor.com to learn more about the woman, her relationship with Thea Spyer and her Supreme Court fight against the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA). United States vs. Windsor argued 03/27/13; decided 06/26/13.

The festivities continued the following day.

"We would like to thank, along with Cynthia and Pat, our friends Scott Bradley, Kelley Shinn, Jude Wheeler and Silas Trethewey who ceremoniously took it upon themselves to lovingly and riotously decorate our beach car, drive us through town in a celebratory parade only to end up on the beach for a champagne sunset!" said Carmie and Mickey.

A dinner was then prepared by Kelley at her home. Connie Leinbach also joined the party.

"The wedding events and both historical and hysterical.....and enjoyed by all," said the gals. "We would like to also thank this community of Ocracoke for all the love and warm wishes we have received."

Legal at last!