Weddings at City Hall on National Coming Out Day

For National Coming Out Day a handful of LGBTQ couples got married or recommitted to each other at Philadelphia City Hall.

Tom MacDonald

October 11, 2018

Maggie Alvarez receives a kiss from their spouse Emmett Bikowski after they were married at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Friends and family of 4 couples taking vows were emotional at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
2 couples were married and 2 couples renewed their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Charles Massucci stares into the eyes of his partner of 47 years, Joseph DiDio, as they renew their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Honorable Barbara McDermott directs LGBT couples to declare vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Mark Jerde and Neal Orzeck, a couple of 10 years, renew their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Mark Jerde and Neal Orzeck, a couple of 10 years renew their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Honorable Ann M. Butchart signs the marriage certificate at Romeo Lopaz and Hok Nhi at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Charles Massucci kisses his partner of 47 years, Joseph DiDio, as they renew their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

For National Coming Out Day a handful of LGBTQ couples got married or recommitted to each other at Philadelphia City Hall.

Among those saying “I Do” were Charles Massucci and his husband who have been together for 47 years and married for nine of them. Massucci said after decades together they weren’t sure they would ever have an opportunity to marry.

“We grew up in a different time, in a different age, where people frowned upon love is love,” he said. “The time has come where people should be able to live freely, openly, and love the people that they love without reservation.”

Massucci’s husband Joseph DiDio urges that those coming out Thursday should be brave and proclaim it proudly.

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“Just announce it as I did, and most of the time the family will accept it. Just don’t be afraid — come out and say it so you can live your life.”

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