First gay couple legally married in Milwaukee reacts to Senate passing same-sex marriage bill

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WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Many in the LGBTQ community sighed in relief Tuesday as the Respect for Marriage Act passed in the Senate. The first gay couple legally married in Milwaukee said it was like a huge weight was lifted off their shoulders.

For Matt Schreck and Fernando Gutierrez, marriage and spending their life together was always on their mind. On June 6th, 2014, that dream became a reality.

"The first date, I thought to myself, 'I think I found myself my husband,'" said Schreck, about his husband, Gutierrez.

For Schreck, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, he knew his marriage to his husband would be challenged by politicians.

"You know, when your life is on a ballot, like people don’t understand -- like your spouse is your world, and he's my world," said Schreck, adding, "It just makes it so much better knowing that I could breathe a little easier and not have that stress that can be taken away."

The Respect for Marriage Act, if passed by the House and signed by President Biden, would:

  • Codify same-sex and interracial marriage
  • Erase the Defense of Marriage Act from the books
  • Require states to recognize the marriages performed legally in other states
  • Require federal government to recognize same-sex marriages
  • Not require religious organizations to perform marriages

It's a bill that was written by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Schreck said it’s a step in the right direction for LGBTQ rights, but more has to be done, especially in the trans community.

"We need to rally behind our trans brothers and sisters. They're being attacked like no one else right now, and they're people just like you and I, and they deserve the same rights that you and I have," said Schreck.

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