Lydia and Judy met in
1977 while working at a Community Mental Health Center in New
Jersey. Lydia describes Judy as passionate about the rights of the
mentally ill and Lydia was passionate about Judy.
On January 7, 1979 they
had a small commitment (wedding) ceremony in their home in New
Jersey. A Reformed Minister performed the ceremony. They had a
small gathering of friends who did not know what to do at a lesbian
wedding, so they left after the food was consumed. Lydia was
disappointed that they did not get to dance and found that
unacceptable.
After they were together
for seventeen years, they decided it was time to make an addition to
their family. So they went to China and returned with a beautiful
baby girl. Lydia and Judith were both able to adopt their daughter,
Jenny, at the Bergen County Court in 1996.
Lydia still wanted her
wedding and reception with dancing, so on May 22, 1999 they had a
service in a Presbyterian Church in New Jersey with their daughter
as the flower girl. This time they rode to the reception in a
limousine afterwards enjoying hours of dancing. Lydia describes the
event as “memorable”.
On July 31, 2002 they had
a Civil Union Ceremony at their home in Vermont. A wonderful
Justice of the Peace performed the ceremony. Following the
ceremony, Judith wanted to know if they would ever have to get
wedded again, and Lydia said that she hoped it would be a Civil
Marriage when finally legal in New Jersey.
The family will be featured in the
Task Force for Same-Sex Civil Marriage
convertible in the Pride Parade at Asbury Park, New Jersey on June 1, 2003. See
Event Photos on the website
after that date.
