Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto held a
wedding ceremony for 19 gay and lesbian couples on Sunday morning as
the city celebrated PrideFest.
Nancy Janda and Larisa Vanwinkle of
Penn Hills were among the couples who tied the knot.
Janda told Action
News 4 that they had not expected marriage equality to arrive in
Pennsylvania so soon.
“We have been friends and partners
and together for 32 years since then, and I never expected that this
would happen in Pennsylvania so soon,” Janda said. “Twenty years
ago, I didn't expect that this would happen in my lifetime, and it's
the most wonderful thing in the world.”
Pennsylvania became the 19th
state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to allow gay couples
to marry when Republican Governor Tom Corbett decided against
pursuing an appeal to a ruling striking down the state's marriage ban
as invalid.
(Related : Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Corbett says he won't appeal gay marriage ruling.)
Decorations and cake for a reception
held at the Fairmont Hotel were donated by individuals and
businesses.
“Pittsburgh did show its heart today,
and for that, thank you,” Peduto told the crowd.