Mimi Brown and Carol Anastasio were the first couple to receive a same-sex marriage license from the New York City Marriage Bureau after the state’s landmark legalization decision earlier this summer. The distinction won them an all-expenses-paid celebration at the Old Homestead Steakhouse, where friends and family will gather this Sunday for the city’s first official same-sex wedding.
Mary Brown, Mimi’s 92-year-old mother, is delighted. “I am so happy,” she told reporters at the New York Daily News. “It’s so unexpected.”
Brown, 57, and Anastasio, 49, have been together for 20 years. Throughout their relationship, Brown’s mother has been a supportive and compassionate presence – and now, she is “thrilled” to finally see them tie the knot.
March Sherry, who co-owns the Old Homestead Steakhouse, was inspired to foot the bill for the Brown-Anastasio wedding after the couple’s story became public last month. He described their history and determination to wed as “very touching” – and subsequently found himself inundated with offers of support and assistance in putting together Sunday’s lavish festivities.
