By Mathew Katz and Gustavo Solis
DOWNTOWN — Overjoyed same-sex couples from around the New York area and beyond descended on the City Clerk's office to get married Wednesday after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.
The historic decision unlocked hundreds of federal benefits for same-sex couples, inspiring dozens to tie the knot in Lower Manhattan.
Anthony Newarski, 51, and Rick Goeden, 48, drove for two hours from Asbury Park, N.J. — where gay marriage is not legal — to be the first same-sex couple married after the decision.
The pair found out about the decision while waiting in line to get into the building.
"I found out on Facebook — DOMA's dead," Goeden said. "We got fed up waiting for New Jersey."
While the ruling will give couples like Newarski and Goeden federal benefits, they will not receive state benefits if their home state does not recognize same-sex marriages.
Newarski and Goeden were married at 11 a.m., roughly an hour after the Supreme Court's decision.
The ceremony was witnessed by David Zambelli and Augustus Tawyea, both 72, who were married immediately afterward.
The pair from Long Beach Island, N.J. had been together for 34 years and decided Wednesday would be the perfect day to get married.
"All my life, I assumed I would never marry," Zambelli said. "The gay movement has advanced so rapidly."
"It's a historic day," Tawyea added.
The day's significance — which also drew jubilant crowds to The Stonewall Inn in the West Village — convinced at least one couple to spontaneously marry: Bill Parker and Luciano Melo took the plunge immediately after hearing of the Supreme Court's decision.
The clerk's office could not immediately provide data on the number of marriages after the decision.
Yadira Arenas, 24, and Alma Vazquez, 26, flew to New York from central Florida to get married and were thrilled to hear about the Supreme Court's decision.
"We have the same rights as everyone else now," Arenas said.
The couple said they hoped the decision would help inspire young gay people to find love.
"It is worth it when you have somebody," Arenas said. "Love, being loved is amazing."
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
