On Sunday, July 26, a mere 24 hours following the collection of signatures in Olympia to place the domestic partnership initiative Referendum 71 on the Nov. 3 ballot, West Seattle residents Matthew Darling and Ray Burley got “hitched” at a reception at the Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction.

The happy couple did not wait around for the final vote count, which may take well over a week to total. And regardless of its outcome, same-sex marriage will still not be legally recognized in Washington.

“Ray is someone I don’t ever want to be without,” said Darling, sporting a black outfit including a cowboy hat and casual suit. “I don’t need the government to sanctify our union. But what I need is some recognition from our government to say what we are doing matters. Our votes matter, and we are very involved in the West Seattle community.”

Darling is a food and wine expert who has managed several West Seattle restaurants. He works at the Chocolate Box downtown. Burley is a manger at Alki Bakery.

Darling, a rousing raconteur who friends recognize as the more extroverted of the two, said they chose the Day of the Dead theme for their reception because, “We wanted to be outrageous. We aren’t allowed a traditional wedding, so we didn’t want a traditional party.

“After we sent in our domestic partnership status we were issued cards like second-class citizens,” he said, acknowledging the card is better than nothing. “It’s better to be second-class citizens than third-class citizens with no card.”

Registering for Washington State Domestic Partnership gives Darling and Burley some of the rights of married couples, including hospital visitation rights, authorization of autopsies and organ donations in case of death, inheritance rights, state employee partnership health benefits and state employee partnership pension benefits.

McDermott, an advocate for gay and lesbian rights. He is in a same-sex partnership and empathizes with the “newlyweds.”

“What’s sad to me is that married couples don’t have to carry a card but we do,” the senator said. “It is useful to have the card to show at the hospital in a hurry during an emergency to visit your partner. It gives you quick access like a press pass. But I agree it does make you feel like a second-class citizen. And when you go to other states they don’t recognize the card, let alone (if you travel) internationally.”

And same-sex marriage?

“I really do believe that in time people in Washington State will see that gay and lesbian families need to have the same protections and equality married couples receive," said McDermott. "Something has to happen. No question.”

“Banning same-sex marriage is akin to the unfair treatment of ethnic minorities, a ‘hate-based’ policy that impacts the lives of millions,” said Michael Wolfson, Darling’s brother and a proud wedding guest. “I think it is totally unfair and based on beliefs (of gays and lesbians) to limit the opportunity of tax paying American citizens from forming families as they see fit. It further limits their ability to care for each other financially and medically.”

During the party, pictures were taken of Darling and Burley and their families, dozens of friends, including some from Darling's Olympia High School class of 1989, and Feedback Lounge staff, much like at a traditional wedding reception. Even the “in-laws” seemed to get along.

Burley adopted a sort of glitzy Zorro look with black eye-mask, large colorfully-embroidered sombrero and sparkling silver elevator shoes that seemed to gently charm the attendees, and his partner, despite his attempt at a "bad-boy" costume.

“We’re married! Yay!” exclaimed the otherwise bashful Burley. “This is as close as we can get to be married which is good enough for us right now, but the whole world needs to change for sure. We’ll get there.”