E-Mail This Article to a Friend LOOKING BACK Celebrating one year of equal marriage BY DEIRDRE FULTON

The guests of honor — gay and lesbian couples — jammed into the chamber and draped themselves over an upper-floor balcony to take in the festivities. Those who couldn’t witness the party wandered through the corridors, hand in hand, awestruck. Some choked back tears. Others had perma-grins on their faces. Still others burst into the Dixie Cups’ "Chapel of Love," which would become the signature soundtrack of the next 24 hours: "Going to the chapel/And we’re gonna get married."

Kristen Lombardi

"The Day We Are Given," News and Features, May 21, 2004

More than 6000 couples — along with the friends and family members who love and support them — will commemorate a collective paper anniversary next Tuesday. It was a year ago this May 17, after a two-year legal battle and brutal legislative session, that same-sex couples were able to write their names in the slots for "Party A" and "Party B" on state marriage licenses. On that day, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to afford equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples; it set off a national frenzy that played out in state legislatures and during the 2004 presidential election. The debate rages on, in households and legislative chambers throughout the country, and especially here in Massachusetts. Equal-marriage supporters still have to weather a second Constitutional Convention, where legislators will again consider an amendment that would ban gay marriage and establish civil unions.

Let’s take this week to celebrate, and also to re-energize for the second round, so we can get to next year’s cotton anniversary. Here’s a sampling of marriage events going on this week in Massachusetts.

FRIDAY, MAY 13

• Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) presents "Wedding Anniversary: A Photo Exhibition," featuring photographs by Marilyn Humphries and Susan Symonds. The exhibit will run through June 17 in the Rabb Lobby of the Boston Public Library at 700 Boylston Street, Boston.

SUNDAY, MAY 15

• Planning to join the married ranks? Check out the second annual Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo — it’s free, and includes a fashion show, music, food, and prizes. It’ll be on from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Harvard Square, 16 Garden Street, Cambridge.

• The Religious Coalition for the Freedom To Marry is holding a first-anniversary interfaith service: Blessings of Joy and Thanksgiving. The Reverend Nancy Taylor will give the sermon, and the Gay Men’s Chorus will sing, at 4 p.m. at the Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, in Copley Square.

TUESDAY, MAY 17

• Join other couples, family, friends, clergy, and straight supporters for a giant anniversary photo on the steps of the State House at 3 p.m.

• GLAD attorney and equal-rights hero Mary Bonauto, and the state’s most famous lesbian couple, the Goodridges, will gather for an afternoon Unitarian Universalist Anniversary Celebration, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the UU office, 25 Beacon Street, Boston.

• Last year, the state’s first gay marriages took place as the clock struck midnight at Cambridge City Hall. Come relive the excitement at a reception with cake, photos, video, blessings, Cambridge’s mayor and city councilors, and Cambridge couples who filed on that day. From 4 to 6 p.m., in the Sullivan Chamber of Cambridge City Hall, at 795 Mass Ave, Cambridge.

• Put on your finest duds and head to the First Anniversary Party sponsored by GLAD, MassEquality, and the Freedom To Marry Coalition. There’ll be food, dancing, and famous faces — including newly elected state representative and marriage supporter Linda Dorcena Forry — starting at 7 p.m. at the Fairmont Copley Hotel, 12 St. James Avenue, Boston. Tickets are $12 and proceeds go to the continuing fight for equality.

• There will be other May 17 celebrations in Belmont, Hingham, Lowell, Newton, Worcester — and perhaps in your town, too. Check www.massequality.org, www.equalmarriage.org, or www.glad.org for additional information and updates.