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Packed house celebrates same-sex marriage

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Entertainer Mark Anderson, left, performing as Sybil Barrington, commends hospitality worker Faye Park with a bouquet offered by Brian Simmons (Photograph by Leah Furbert)

The six-month anniversary of a landmark case paving the way for same-sex marriage was marked with a full house on Friday night at the Earl Cameron Theatre.

Entertainer Mark Anderson, performing as his female persona Sybil Barrington, introduced the “night of love and laughter” with eight local drag performers.

Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche, who married in June in Canada after their case in Bermuda’s Supreme Court the previous month, were applauded with a standing ovation.

Mr Anderson told the two: “Thank you for putting yourselves in the line of fire — you have made history for this country.”

The couple had gone to the courts after the Registrar-General rejected their application to marry on the island.

Because of the ruling by Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons, the first same-sex marriage was able to proceed in Bermuda.

The show on Friday was also an evening to celebrate the achievements of hospitality veteran Faye Park, described as an unsung hero of Bermuda tourism over a career of nearly 40 years.

A cover of Sam Cooke’s soul classic A Change is Gonna Come was used to mark the gay community’s campaign for equality — and Mr Anderson closed the night with a vow to make the drag gala an annual event.

Performer Steve Lindsay takes the stage at the Earl Cameron Theatre (Photograph by Leah Furbert)
Performer "Sheila Showers" at the Earl Cameron Theatre where drag artists marked the six-month milestone since same-sex marriage was granted by local courts (Photograph by Leah Furbert)