“We’ve really put a lot of time into this,” Milton Aguilar said about his and Daniel Greer’s wedding, as they celebrated being the first same-sex couple to get married at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park last Saturday. This milestone in marriage equality in the San Diego community was born from the memories Daniel and Milton shared with Daniel’s mother, who passed away from cancer eight months before the wedding. “Before she got really sick we would come down here to have lunch and she always loved this place, so it was a combination of memories of what we built and created with her,” Milton told LGBT Weekly.
Milton and Daniel met around five years ago through a common friend. Daniel was smitten at the sight of Milton wearing a tight tank top and his bright smile that stretched from ear to ear. Milton was attracted by Daniel’s persistence and his charming personality; however it was Daniel’s love for his two sons, 18-year-old Diego and 19-year-old Milton Jr. that captured his heart.
“It’s rare to find someone in life who will love your children as much as you do. I found that in Daniel, and my sons love him the same,” Milton said.
The two grooms made sure their day had all the trappings of a traditional wedding. “We looked at it [marriage] like it’s legal but it should be respected traditionally as best it could,” said Daniel. “We tried to make it as elaborate and beautiful as it should be.”
The wedding took place during a perfect San Diego afternoon. The grooms wore matching outfits: black slacks, black shoes, white shirts, light-pink vests, light-pink bowties and white tuxedo jackets.
“We were also trying to set a trend,” said Daniel. “It’s a new law and so part of us tried to say, let’s start that trend. I’m sure many people don’t respect marriage or see it for what it is, so part of our thinking was that it may cost more, but let’s really set the bar.”
Family has had a profound impact on Milton and Daniel’s partnership. “My mother doesn’t just accept the fact that I’m gay, but she embraces and loves Daniel as much as she would love a wife,” said Milton. His oldest son was also supportive of his father. “I would tell my oldest son that it is sad for people to judge you because you’re gay or judge you because you’re Mexican or because you’re black,” Milton explained. “It’s harsh. So, when I told him that I was protesting during Prop. 8, he said, ‘Dad I’m proud of you. I’m glad you are doing this whole Prop. 8 thing.’”
“It’s amazing,” said Daniel, “Milton Jr. embraces the lifestyle and loves us both.”
Having support from family is something that Milton thought he would never have. “It’s great as a parent to hear your child say, ‘you know what dad, I love you for who you are’. In a million years I never thought I’d hear that from one of my kids.”
Milton and Daniel also captured support from park visitors during their wedding. “When I was much younger, I would always ask myself when is it going to be legal to marry who you love,” said Milton. “It’s nice to see people accept it and say it’s OK for you to love who you love.”
Anthony, thank you for the amazing write up and thank you for attending this very special day. It was great to see so much support from many visitors and our guest.. Thank you,
Milton & Daniel ❤️