New York governor officiates gay wedding at historic Stonewall Inn

Love is in the air at the Stonewall Inn.
To celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to recognize same-sex marriage nationwide on Friday, New

York Gov. Andrew Cuomo officiated a gay wedding at the historic NYC landmark. David Turley and Peter Thiede tied the knot in front of a crowd of well-wishers on Sunday morning.

Self-described as "the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement," the Stonewall Inn was the site of a police raid in 1969, which sparked numerous protests advocating for LGBT rights.

See also: These 14 photos will make you want to run outside and celebrate marriage equality

Roberta Kaplan, a lawyer for the historic Edie Windsor case that rendered the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, delivered the opening remarks on Sunday.
“It’s easy to forget what things were like only a few years ago,” Kaplan said. “It’s easy to forget the kind of leadership that was required in 2006 to make this happen.”
Cuomo then took the stage to make a speech before the ceremony.

Governor Cuomo speaks before a wedding ceremony in New York City.

Image: Governor.ny

"Today is a day that will go down in American history," he said. "Justice doesn’t just happen. Justice is a process. Justice is a journey."
Cuomo spoke about New York's crucial role leading up to the Supreme Court's decision on marriage equality, and saluted Kaplan and Windsor for their work. He also discussed the importance of equality in general for the LGBT community, calling the right to marriage an important “rallying point."
“Marriage is an individual choice — I’m not married," he said. "Equality is not a choice. Equality is a promise.”
Cuomo also promised that New York would be the first state to "end the AIDS epidemic."
After his speech, the governor asked Turley and Thiede to join him on stage. The couple was also joined by family members.
“I’m a little nervous today — this is my first marriage," Cuomo joked.
The ceremony was brief, with Cuomo reading vows for each man. Turley and Thiede then exchanged rings, while beaming, and were cheered on by the jubilant crowd.
"By the power recently vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you married," Cuomo declared. "Kiss, please!”

David Turley and Peter Thiede kiss during their wedding ceremony.

Image: Governor.ny

After the newly married couple kissed, The Beatles' "Love Is All You Need" began playing.

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