Dozens of same-sex couples joined together for a mass marriage ceremony Saturday at Unity on the Bay, a Miami church.
"It makes us feel that we're not alone," said newlywed Joel Perez. "That we're together in a group, with others that are happy to be here finally today, with the right to marry and the right to share our lives together."
The couples exchanged vows, rings, and a kiss to seal the deal. Backed by a choir, two reverends officiated the ceremony that was a dream come true for many.
"We have the same wants, same emotions, same needs," said Carthy Thomas, who renewed vows with her partner. "The only thing is that she is a woman and I love her. That's the difference."
Unity on the Bay Reverend Chris Jackson said he was proud to take part in the mass ceremony.
"To be able to provide this service to so many today was a monumental and historical occasion," Jackson said.
Cynthia Binder has been with her partner Cheryl for 33 years. They got married in Massachusetts, but wanted to renew their vows and celebrate in their hometown.
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"What's so exciting is that it's just normal now," Binder said. "Things are just getting more normal for people. It doesn't have to be this whole secret thing."
When the reverends closed the ceremony the crowd errupted in cheer, thrilled that their moment had finally come.
A large number of Unity on the Bay members are part of the LGBT community. Reverend Jackson believes they will be officiating many more ceremonies in the weeks to come. For more information on same sex marriages at Unity, visit their website here.
