Biography - Photos - References - Media - Contact - Appearances & Events - WilliamFuld.com Media Same-Sex Salem Salem - Nearly two years after they married on the steps of Salem City Hall, Bob Murch and Gary Halteman are holding their breath to see if their neighbors will have the right to vote for or against their union. Their simple ceremony took place on May 17, 2004, the day city and town clerks were given the go-ahead to grant marriage certificates to same sex couples. The two bought a condo in Salem, fixed it up and continued their decade-long relationship and weekday commute into Boston for work. The historic state vote and personal celebration, however, was quickly followed by nail-biting as the couple watched the debate that led to a decision in March of this year when the Massachusetts high court ruled that non-resident same-sex couples cannot marry in this state. To determine the future of same-sex marriage of Massachusetts residents, the Legislature gathers for a Constitutional Convention on May 10, and is expected to take the issue to a statewide vote on the 2008 ballot. Halteman and Murch have been part of the State House fight from the beginning and even delivered packages to every legislator, each containing a copy of their marriage certificate, the wedding invitation with a drawing of two tuxedos, and a DVD of their festive wedding reception. “We met with as many people as we could,” says Murch, including House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, introduced to them by state Rep. John Keenan, who met Murch when he actively worked on Keenan’s campaign two years ago. Keenan and his wife attended Murch’s wedding reception. Talking to state lawmakers will do no good, however, if the decision will rest with the voters of Massachusetts. That’s why Murch is now focusing on his own community to convince voters that their vote could hurt people like him. “I have no doubt, over time, that gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states,” he says, “but it will take forever if people don’t bring it home. This issue will be won in the living rooms and over dinner in all the households in America, and it has to be done community by community. If it loses in Massachusetts, it will set us back years.” Just in time for this historic vote, Murch and his friend Christian Day launched a Web site, last week, at www.gaysalem.com. It is tailored toward gay tourists and what he says is a growing gay and lesbian population moving into Salem. The site contains links to moving companies, as well as information on local health clubs, shops, salons, houses of worship, liquor stores, restaurants, and even local tarot card readers. It joins a recent ad campaign started by a number of local businesses who recognized Salem’s appeal with the gay and lesbian community. The ad appeared in the Metro-Boston gay and lesbian publication "Bay Windows." Murch sent the Web site link to city officials and got this response from Ward 1 Councilor Lucy Corchado: “I think the viewer will be pleased with the amount of information Bob provides. He lists not only information about Salem and its sites, from restaurants to parks to shopping, but also a look into his personal life and the ongoing struggle for equality.” As a wink and a nod to Salem’s kitschy witch identity, the site is inspired by the television show “Bewitched,” a series that filmed in Salem in the late 1960s that depicted its own non-traditional couple in the form of a witch married to a mortal. Bewitched was a favorite among gays and featured a number of gay actors and suggestively gay characters. Salem’s association with the show, of course, was recently commemorated with a bronze statue in the downtown. Raised in Peabody, Murch says he would hope to see similar sites for Beverly, Lynn and Revere to show North Shore residents that gay and lesbian people are living among them, not just in New York and downtown Boston. “Bob certainly has his work cut out for him,” says Keenan. “I think the point of his Web page is that there are gay and lesbian people in Salem making a difference and contributing in very positive ways to our community.” Keenan does not believe the issue should go before voters. “I think there are far more important things we should be addressing rather than concerning ourselves with the personal, intimate relationships of two consenting adults,” he says. When Murch’s friends, Tom Lang and Aaron Toleos from Manchester-by-the-Sea, created their Web site, www.knowthyneighbor.org, to publicize the names of those who had signed a petition against same-sex marriage, Murch saw a long list of people from Salem, some living on his street. An investigation determined that there was some forgery and deception used in signature gathering by the company contracted by the Massachusetts Family Institute. Still, to Murch, the petition only pointed out where Salem’s gay and lesbian community had fallen short in showing their neighbors that they deserve equal rights. “They were nice to me,” he says, “but ultimately, they wanted to take that right (to marry) away.” OUIJA® and MYSTIFYING ORACLE® are both trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
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