Family. Life.

After 34 Years

Raymond Whitehouse

UNC Chapel Hill

On Oct. 10, 2014, North Carolina became the 29th state to allow gay marriage. After more than 34 years together, Stanley Finch and Jeffery Beam got married on Nov. 29, 2014. Beam and Finch, both born and raised in North Carolina, said they wanted to get married to celebrate their relationship and exercise their right to equality under state law. Their act of matrimony legally redefined their relationship and the two formally became family members. "We never thought this day would come in our lifetime," Beam says. "It's hard to think it is real and not some joke."
    159

  • The wedding took place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the house of Jeff and Stan's friend, Pat Owens. Stan bought Jeff a wedding gift: a pottery jug depicting two men next to each other.

  • At the Hillsborough County Registry of Deeds office, Stan, left, and Jeff, right, take a marriage oath swearing that the information they have provided is accurate and that there is no legal impediment to them getting married.

  • Jeff and Stan leave the Hillsborough County Clerk's office.

  • On the morning of their marriage, Jeff gives Stan a kiss before leaving their house in Hillsborough to run errands.

  • On the night before their marriage, Jeff and Stan play "Peekaboo" with one of their cats as they get ready for bed.

  • Jeff reads over one of the marriage certificates before the wedding.

  • Jeff and Stan feed their cats treats just before driving to their wedding.

  • Stan hugs Jeff at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, which was co-officiated by Drake Maynard, left, and Helen Johnson, second to left.

  • Jeff and Stan cut the cake together.

  • After the wedding ceremony, Jeff and Stan relax in their living room with their dog, Bijon.

1/10

Related Projects