Sponsored By. The answer was inevitable, but on Valentine's Day, Margie Wherritt, of Rochester, still yearned to say "I do" in a wedding ceremony surrounded by friends and family. Wherritt and Joanne Ericksen have been together for 24 years, raised three children, have careers, volunteer in the community and serve on the Human Rights Commission. Yet because they are a same-sex couple, their relationship is not legally recognized in Minnesota.
To the strains of "What the World Needs Now is Love" playing on a boom box, the three couples approached the legal records and licensing counter.
With no line and three clerks on duty at p. As she handed over the paperwork, Wherritt said she had a vision of Ericksen wearing a shimmering silver dress and herself in a neat tuxedo like they wore to the Democratic National Convention. Only this time, she imagined being accompanied by their three children to exchange vows. Each couple was shown a copy of the state statute prohibiting same sex marriage and told that they could register for Rochester's domestic partner registry.
Although she knew it was coming, "it's still hard," Wherritt said. What was planned to be a statement of their love to each other and a political demonstration illustrating the effect of the law on same-sex couples, the moment became emotional. Wherritt and Ericksen had tears in their eyes. So did Carol Pelowski, one of the licensing clerks.
Chris Badger, also a clerk in the licensing and records department, said, "My hands are tied. I wanted to say, 'I'm sorry. Although she knew the law, Badger said, she was unaware that Minnesota offers protections, rights and responsibilities available only to married couples.
