After 21 years together, two LGBT activists tied the knot for a second time Aug.
10 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia. Art and Stevie Martin-Chester met in 1992 when both were members of MCC in New Haven, Conn, the homestate of both Art, 68, and Stevie, 62, who later moved to Norristown. After a year of dating, Art asked Stevie to marry him and, in 1994, the two were joined in a commitment ceremony on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Art said when he met Stevie, the two instantly connected. “I was newly single and we met and it was like we had known each other forever,” Art said. “My first impression of him was, wow! He sings and when I heard him sing at the church, I was amazed with his gorgeous voice and his beautiful brown eyes.” Stevie said he remembers Art’s persistence in courting him. “I was head usher, in the choir, helping the pastor and doing things around the church and that was my life, so I really wouldn’t pay attention because I wasn’t thinking about dating,” Stevie said. Both Stevie and Art joined Connecticut’s branch of Men of all Colors Together and, while they were selling raffle tickets for a fundraiser for the organization, Art finally approached Stevie. They had their first date at a diner and, shortly after, Stevie said he knew Art was the one for him. “We sat there for hours and just talked. I was amazed and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing: He was so honest, direct and just incredible,” Stevie said. “We started dating and I fell in love with him two weeks after that. He is so supportive, loving and political. He loves colors, loves music and is just incredible. I know what brought me to him was Godsent.” Their 1994 union was part of a larger action that included other same-sex couples, with news cameras on hand. This time around, however, the couple chose a more personal church service “The service was wonderful. I always wanted to be married in that church,” Stevie said. They also obtained a marriage license from Montgomery County, where officials are defying the state ban on same-sex marriage. The two previously wanted to go back to Connecticut to get married, but Art said he hopes unions like theirs make an important statement. “We live in Pennsylvania and felt that getting it here would help move the state to recognizing same-gender marriages,” he said. Despite their more-than two decades together, Art said the wedding reinforced his love for Stevie. “I felt like a little kid. I was just overwhelmed and was so filled with love because I was marrying a man I had been with for 20-plus years.”