Same-Sex Marriage Trailblazers

Though Francisco Fuertes and Patrick Simeone have been together for 23 years, Fuertes is "giddy again" to get married on Saturday night in. This is going to be  after the passage of the New York State Marriage Equality Act.

The couple was married about three years ago in Quebec; Fuertes and Simeone were married for their 20th anniversary of being together. Fuertes surprised Simeone with the destination of the city where they were getting married.

"A 20th anniversary is not small potatoes," Fuertes said, adding, "We've outlasted many straight couples whose weddings we've attended."

For Fuertes and Simeone, the decision to be the first couple to get married in North Hempstead was more a question of "why not?" It was also easier for the Westbury couple to get married in North Hempstead than in Manhattan with the lottery system. If it does not rain, the ceremony will be held at the Mary Jane Davies Park gazebo in Manhasset.

It was important that Simeone and Fuertes get married in New York because this will allow Simeone to be put on Fuertes' health care plan.

"Now he won't have to pay a small fortune for health care," Fuertes said. "Not having those rights makes you feel like a second-class citizen."

Fuertes was amazed when Governor Andrew Cuomo "got this passed so fast." He recalled feeling disbelief and excitement when the law was passed.

Simeone and Fuertes met at Jones Beach by the restaurant where they first started talking and "the rest is history," Fuertes said. While it would have been romantic to get married on Jones Beach, doing so in the middle of the night with mosquitoes did not suit them.

As the couple prepares to get married on Saturday night, Fuertes is reflecting on his relationship with Simeone.

"It makes you evaluate what you have," Fuertes said. "We're gone through a lot together. We have a strong relationship. I couldn't have done it without him."