“Spouses for life”

Two Walhalla men who acted quickly to obtain a license to marry, once same-sex marriage was declared legal, are now in the words of the Oconee Probate Judge “spouses for life.” Shortly after 10 this morning, the long-time partnership between Trad Gunter and David Fretwell became legal in South Carolina during a marriage ceremony—the first ever same-sex wedding conducted by Kenny Johns, the county probate judge. The wedding vows, administered by Johns, lasted a little more than a minute and half. During the ceremony, Gunter and Fretwell joined hands and then, once the judge pronounced them spouses for life, the two kissed and hugged. They are not leaving for a honeymoon, but look forward to a party for their friends in March—when their relationship will reach 20 years. The Gunter-Fretwell union is the second same-sex couple from Oconee County to have taken advantage of South Carolina becoming one of 34 states to recognize such marriages. Rumor has it that a third such couple soon plans to apply for one of those $30 dollar marriage licenses from the Oconee Probate Court.