Good News Friday: Gay Marine Says "I do" On Base

I can remember being a young kid and going out to McClellan Air Force Base when my Dad returned from TDY in South East Asia, or elsewhere. It was always a big to-do, with all the families and kids and people waiting for their husbands, fathers, or sons to come home.

Still, I never thought I'd see this.

At Camp Pendleton last week, Cory Huston, a Navy veteran, waited for his partner Marine Avarice Guerrero on the tarmac. But instead of balloons or a Welcome Home signs, Huston dropped to one knee and proposed to his partner, in what is believed to be the first proposal of marriage and engagement between two gay men--not to mention two war vets--on a US military base. Ever.

Huston, who was discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, paced nervously, and practiced his simple proposal, as he waited for Guerrero. He knew that, by proposing marriage, and assuming Guerrero would say yes, he would not only be changing their lives forever, but also the landscape of marriage among lesbian and gay servicemembers. 

Finally, Guerrero emerged, beaming as he saw Huston waiting for him. He dropped his bags and hugged and kissed his partner. Less than a year ago, you wouldn't have seen this kind of embrace on the tarmac, and you certainly wouldn't have witnessed what happened next.

After a few minutes of emotional holding and kissing, Huston went anxiously down on one knee; looked up at Guerrero, who was dressed from head to toe in military fatigues; and produced an engagement ring and asked, “Will you marry me?”

Avarice Guerrero answered, “Yes.”

A simple question and a one word answer, and yet it has taken us, as a community, and as a country, so long to get here.

And it's about time.

Best wishes, Cory and Avarice.

via LGBTweekly