Elope in Front of This Niagara Falls Sign Honoring Gay Marriage

New sign in Niagara Falls State Park honors New York’s first gay marriage ceremony

 

What a cute place to elope! The views at Niagara Falls State Park just got a little sweeter: park officials unveiled a new interpretive panel in October honoring New York’s first gay marriage ceremony, which took place on Luna Island on July 24, 2011. 

 

See photos of same-sex marriage celebrations in New York City on July 24, 2011 in this Time Magazine article: To Have and to Hold: Gay Marriages in New York City Begin

 

 

A photo of the "First Same-Sex Marriage in NYS" interpretive panel placed on Luna Island in October, 2024. (Photo via WNYPapers.com, courtesy of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation)

 

This sweet signage was dreamed-up and paid for by Niagara Pride, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Niagara County. The sign features photos of the happy couple who were married there 13 years ago, Kitty and Cheryle Lambert-Rudd, along with interesting details about the historic site. 

It seems like the perfect place for a cute queer wedding or elopement! (Maybe even a road trip wedding?!)

 

Niagara Falls is already a popular place for destination weddings, adventure elopements, and honeymoons, because of its stunning natural beauty and proximity to Buffalo and Toronto. 

 

Now, lovers can also reflect on the site’s important past as they take their vows, making Luna Island, and all of Niagara Falls State Park, a truly beautiful backdrop for love! 

 

Ronald Piaseczny, President of Niagara Pride, Inc., says it best: 

 

"People often don’t realize that significant historical events may have occurred in the spot where they are standing.  And for many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, we often forget that LGBTQ+ history is not something that occurred in New York City, but rather, right here locally in WNY.  

 

That’s why our organization felt it was important to work with the NYS Parks Department to create a momentum that honors the momentous achievements of Kitty and Cheryle Lambert-Rudd and the importance of not taking for granted rights, like the freedom to marry the person you love."

 

We love it! 

 

Get the full scoop on the new interpretive panel in this article for WNYPapers.com: First gay marriage memorialized at Niagara Falls State Park

 

To learn more about LGBTQIA+ History in New York State, visit NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's LGBTQIA+ History Page

 

---

 

Read Next: 

 

How to Get Married in New York:

Plan a Wedding in The Empire State

 

A simple guide to help you get married in New York - including how to find a NY wedding officiant, choose the best wedding venue, plan your NY wedding ceremony, and how to apply for a New York marriage license.

 

• Read the full article here

 

Photo: Tallie Robinson / Unsplash

 

---

You might also like: 

 

• When was same-sex marriage legalized in the U.S.? Is it legal in all 50 states?

 

• How to Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony

 

• How to Elope: The Complete Elopement Checklist

 

---

 

Ask a Friend to Get Ordained Online to Officiate Your Wedding, with Help From AMM!  

 

Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony! Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: franckreporter / iStock)

 

---